Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Tanning Industry

  • wcu_travel-2.jp2
  • Tanning Industry was the overall caption for this three-part picture from J.S. Holmes' Forest Conditions in Western North Carolina, published in 1911. The separate pictures were subtitled (A) 'Tannery of Cover & Sons, Andrews,' (B) 'Unloading bark from cars and storing in shed,' and (C) 'A large crop. Stacking surplus bark in the open.' These images emphasized the importance of the industry to Andrews, N.C. In his report, Holmes commented that Andrews had one of five 'large' tanneries in western North Carolina, with the others being located at Sylva, Hazelwood, Asheville, and Rosman. Supported by several industries and drawing upon the resources of a rich agricultural area, the town of Andrews incorporated in 1904 and supported a population of about 1,000 by 1910. As in other communities, rail connection made industrial development possible which otherwise could not be supported by the existing roads.