The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-06-02
By WALTER B. SMITH

ana us wonderland OF enhancing
panoramic enchantment, the sun
sets in mystic beauty and the
beauty and the Blue Ridge moon
light mingles with the stars to be
reflected in dew drops like deli
cately chiseled jewels. Crystal
waterfalls, leaping, sing a refresh
ing lullaby of restful dreams.
This high scenic outlook views
the Forest of Pisgah, the Smoky
Mountains, and myriads of crest
ed ranges that tower like sap
phired peaks. Here an enormous
domain has been chosen by the
federal government to be dedicat-
ed to the pleasure and recreation
of the American people. TO make
it readily accessible, a gigantic
boulevard and parkway is being
constructed along the Appala-
chan skyline, that will enable
multitudes from the states and
nations of the world to enter this
great fairyland of romance and
delightful beauty. Here all low
ers of deep mountain forests will
come to enjoy the charms Of this,
one of the most artistic master
pieces ever wrought by the great
God of Nature.
Once upon time, far more
than q hundred years ago, there
was a dreamer here who enviSion-
cd dream which he said was sure
some day to come true. 1t was he
who without help of any engineer,
ing instruments whatsoever, just
using the accuracy of his eyes and
arms, surveyed and built the first
road to and through this. mountain
forest Of appealing romantic ad-
venture. At this time, when he
surveyed and made the first per-
fectly graded road from the low
lands Of the south up mot the
mountains, he forecast all which
has now come to fruition. He
foresaw that roads would wind
through the many peaks, crags
and waterfalls like encircline
graceful silver ribbons all border
ed in profusion with flowers
ferns anod sylvan loneliness of re-
freshing woodlands, coves, dellS
and rugged beauty Of verdant for
eStS.
Solomon Jones was born in the
Land of the Sky" in 1902, on the
veritable crest of the Great Blue
Ridge divide in the locality OF
what has since become known "a
Flat Rock. His parents having
walked from the State of Vir
pinia to build their home on this
high spot, started the first mill tc
grind the corn of other pioneers
at point where Rhctt's mill now
stands. This was long before Fla
Rocks development into a unique
and historically picturesque com
munity of country estates; before
the ancient boxwoods and forma
gardens were handicapped ant
planted i'm this popular rendezv
Gus for the most influential lead
or, notables and wealthy planta
ton owners and planters of thu
southland.
He it was who later surveyed
and built the south's first scenic
road up the rugged and rockrib
bed mountainsides from the small
mountain village of Henderson
Vile to old Mt. Hebron, long be
fore this mountain city grew an'
became nationally known. Oh
the highest peak, at the summit o.
Mt. Hebron he and his son con
structed an observation tower o
lasting locust wood. When IT
spiral stairway was completed
Americas first mountain pleasure
and tourist resort was that da!
opened as he said, "neares
heaven with the best view of TIT
worlds earthly naradisc." Aroun'
il he PLANTED fruit trees and vine
ward. with delicious grapes FOL, th'
delight and pleasure Of visitor
and tourists. -,
He it was who blazed the patti
and built the first roads, conceiV
inc a plan that has gradual!
grown and broadened into tn,
worlds largest forest and parl
for recreation and a natlona
playground. A.
This man it was who sowed TN
first grass. scattered locust see
and planted trees to conserve TN
soil from devastating erosion, US
inc a most unique method OF M
own on the crest of highest peaks
in order that the seed would nat
, urallv fall, roll and wash dow
i and thus spread new life on tn
! slopes and in the valleys bclo"
So here in the very highest SQUIRE
cs of the French Broad river wa
started his original form of cor
: servation, reforestation and &c
: velopment against erosion an
= soil depletion. as now being use
: bv the IVA in its nationa! pla
Of scientific conservation and dc
:, velopment. ,o,,
l, of nature and for the wild lie O
- the forest, OIleilidISu IhO -
: mark TO conserve and protect dee
e pnd other animals in their natur;
u environment.
l, Transatlantic county, with his ow
e hands he split rails and built
IS fence, Is rails high and more tina
Al three miles IN circum1erenc'
nlacinp the fence below bluff
e, and high points IN o order that ace e;
lie of the forests in leaplng down NJ
l. would be encompassed within h
park and the territory r OF the zee. e'
s. Closure. Naturally 1t was ease
for the deer to leap down tina
up therefore, ref FIRST 'Af american wsss s san
A. When he had thus capture
WIG" d;l;oently protectt