Farmer Russ WSKY Radio

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Anyone who lived in Asheville NC and its environs from 1930 til the 70's probably knows Farmer Russ (Russ Offhaus). He provided the wake-up call for everyone who listened to WSKY radio, beginning at 5 am and continuing until 10 am. As the back of the postcard says "Farmer Russ is one of the real radio veterans. Starting in 1930 and "still hanging on....."

Bailey's Cafeteria, Westgate Shopping Center (Asheville)

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Zebulon B. Vance Postal Cover 27 December 1860

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This cover carried a December 27, 1860 letter to Walter Waighstill Lenoir. It was from his friend and classmate at the University of North Carolina, and then congressman from North Carolina, Zebulon Baird Vance. The cover was free franked with his signature. The contents describe the efforts of the moderate members of Congress to form a Middle Confederacy for the purpose of keeping the two extremes separate and from fighting each other.

"Ashville" Postal Cover 1880

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All postage stamps printed and put into service by the United States are still valid for postage with the exception of the series of 1847 issue which became invalid when the second issue became available on 1 July 1851, and the series of 1851 which was demonetized in 1861 to prevent its use in the Confederacy. An illustration of this is a cover postmarked ASHVILLE/N.C./AUG/9/1880. It was franked with a 3¢ issue of 1857-61 which someone probably found stuck away. The postage stamp was canceled with a circular handstamp reading, "HELD FOR POSTAGE", meaning that it was 3¢ postage due. Note spelling of "Ashville."

The first Asheville postmaster, Mr. Patton, was appointed 8 October 1800. This probably was James Patton (1756-1846), for whom Patton Avenue in Asheville is named, or Colonel John Patton (1765-1831).

Buncombe County Postal History

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Buncombe County Postal History

Pack Square, Asheville (purportedly) 1920s

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In the Craggies Near Asheville 1920s

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