EARLY WATAUGA PAPER RECALLS RAPID GROWTH OF COMMUNITY IN ONE YEAR. (From the Watauga Progress, March, 1911)
We frequently hear or read about towns springing up overnight. The history of Watauga is not such a story, but is just as interesting, indeed more so to those who are on the ground and have watched her grow from a section house and sign post on June 1st, 1910, to a town of its present magnitude, March 10, 1911.
A short review might be interesting. As stated, before June 1st, 1910, what is now Watauga, was only recognized by the sign post by the side of the railroad track, but on June 2nd, Jos. Prochaska the pioneer lumberman, persuaded the railway company to stop at Watauga and let him off, and he at once began the building of his present lumberyard.
On June 3rd the Bigham Bros. were on the ground and at once built their large store and stocked it with the necessities of the homesteader, which business has steadily increased until at the present time their store isn’t half large enough to take care of their immense stock of general merchandise, and at the present time they are building a new building on their lots on main street. When they built their first building the townsite had not yet been laid out, and when it was, they found that the store was in the middle of the street, where it is yet but they will soon be moved to a more appropriate place.
The Liveryman, Fred Nehl, was the next one who had the nerve to risk his fortune in the new and untried town, and by the first of July was occupying a new barn and today is as busy as a liveryman can be. He has made an addition to the barn in the way of a first class feed store, which is a necessity that has been appreciated by the homesteaders of the community.
By this time there were carpenters and laborers flocking here that had to be fed and Mrs. Kate Novotny was the one to build the first eating house in Watauga, which was soon too small to accomodate the increasing trade and she has been forced to build an addition. This is now too small and she has under construction a large hotel which will be opened to the public about April 1st.
Dr. W.I. Longstreth came here December 1st to look after the health of the community and built an office on Main Street and has been on the ground up to the present time.
The Watauga community was growing so rapidly that F. V. Prezler thot that he could sell some lumber and purchased a lumber yard site and built a lumber yard and has been doing a thriving business and has come to stay.
We needed a bank, but not for long. The Watauga State Bank has been organized, their building built, and business has been transacted at the bank the last few days. This institution is appreciated by the community and is a valuable asset to the town.
By the middle of February there was an implement store on the ground to supply the homesteaders with farm implements. This enterprise was launched by F. P. Nehl and R. M. Nehl.
The story would be incomplete if we failed to mention Wm. Bennett Land Co. who was one of the first on the ground and entered into the real estate business. He also has a steam plow and did considerable breaking in the community. His record breaking accomplishment was breaking and planting 140 acres in ten days, which speaks of his thrift.
At the present time there are several power breaking outfits in the community. S. C. Dahlquist has a large 10 bottom plow and an Avery engine and will do breaking in the community. J. C. Halvorsen has a breaking outfit and is also in the well digging business and is looking for dates for either digging or breaking.
Joe Mitchell was the first contractor and builder to locate here and there are several buildings he has as a testamonial to his ability. You would do well to let him figure your building.
Luther B. James contractor and builder, early made his debut, and has several buildings to his credit and is always ready to figure your building. He also carries a full line of automobiles, being the first agent for several lines of the best cars on the market.
Even the Progress saw a future for the town and we are here on the ground floor, boosting for the town that can’t go back.
There are a number of places in the town that have not been given the proper notice due to the lack of detail on the part of the writer. We have another lumber yard coming and a blacksmith shop under construction. In fact, all the conveniences of a modern town, even to a street light.
There is plenty of room here for any line of business, and we will welcome you to our town.
To Mrs. E. L. Johnson belongs the credit of being the first woman in Watauga. She lived in a boxcar with her husband until he could locate and build on their homestead south of town. The date of their arrival was June 1st.
The community in the vicinity of Watauga is all settled, or soon will be with a thrifty lot of farmers who have come to stay and are improving their farms and breaking their ground with the firm conviction that this is the best country on earth.
The Brotherhood of American Yeoman are organized and have a strong and progressive lodge here. Sites have already been engaged for two more churches and a more substantial school house than the one now used will follow as a natural consequence.