A Piece of Etowah’s History — and an Invitation to Preserve More

A Piece of Etowah’s History — and an Invitation to Preserve More

One of the things I have been thinking about through Connect Etowah NC is how much of Etowah’s history still lives in people’s homes—in old photographs, family papers, church records, and stories that may never have been formally recorded.

Patricia Gash recently shared something that seems like a wonderful place to begin.

Her mother wrote this history of Etowah Presbyterian Church, and Patricia also shared drawings showing the church at different points in its history.

This is not only the history of a church. It is part of the history of Etowah itself.

In Her Own Words

The following history was written by Patricia Gash’s mother. I am sharing her words as they were written, without rewriting or modernizing the account.

This history of the Etowah Presbyterian Church dates back to the latter part of the nineteenth century. A commission was appointed to organize a church at Holly Springs at the Spring meeting of Mecklenburg Presbytery.

The church was organized on July 28, 1894. Records show that a small building was erected on the Turnpike Road, north of the present Etowah Golf Club. The church was given the name, “Midway”, being half-way between the Mills River and Davidson River Presbyterian Churches. The same pastor served the three churches, riding horseback and stopping at Midway to rest and preach in the afternoon.

The Noah Henry’s lived in a log house where Ingle’s is now located. Mrs. Henry liked to walk in the woods and talk to her Heavenly Father. Her favorite spot was huge tree which stood where the manse is now located. Daily she went to this spot and prayed that a Presbyterian Church might be built there.

By the close of the century more people were moving into the valley. It was decided to move Midway to a more convenient location. The church was moved to its present site about 1904. It was built on land donated by the late Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Gash, Sr. who purchased the Henry property. Mrs. Henry’s tree was cut down and the church was built over the stump. Her prayers for a church had been answered.

Mrs. Roxanna Anderson walked to Asheville to ask for help in building the church from the First Presbyterian Church there. It is said she collected $40.00

Mrs. Anderson’s grandson, Eade Anderson, became the first Presbyterian minister from the Etowah Church.

The post office was called “Money” at this time. The railroad was being built and the officials did not think that “Money” was a suitable name for the railroad station. Mrs. Gash was asked to suggest a more suitable name. She chose the Indian name, Etowah, meaning “High Tower”. The Henry property had been sold, in the meantime, first to an Englishman who had constructed a large house with a tower around the Henry log cabin.

What Do You Have in Your House?

There are probably old photographs, newspaper clippings, letters, church programs, business advertisements and family papers tucked away all over this valley.

There are also stories that exist only because someone still remembers them.

We would like to begin collecting those stories before they disappear.

Do you remember an old Etowah business, family, farm, school, church, store or gathering place?

Do you have photographs of Etowah—or photographs of ordinary family life here?

We would love to hear from you.

You do not have to give anything away. Photographs and documents can be copied or scanned and returned. What matters is preserving the information and the stories that go with them.

We would also love to hear from people who enjoy local history and might be interested in sharing what they know, helping organize a gathering, or inviting others to speak.

This property is not simply a place where we can host Etowah’s history. It is part of Etowah’s history.

Let’s see what we can preserve together.

— Karen
Connect Etowah NC