On March 31, storyteller and author Liz Z. Pardue presents Keep NC Weird! The Strange & Macabre History of Our State at Pack Memorial Library, a one-hour journey through the strangest history, most eccentric characters, and darkest folklore of the Old North State. In anticipation, we’re rifling through some of the weird tales we happen to know about our neck of the woods here in Western NC.
In a previous blog post, we shared some dubious tales that have passed into local legend: Walt Disney’s supposed Asheville architecture career, secret tunnels below the city, and the morbid claim that the Jackson Building has a “target” for jumpers.
Today, we’re sharing some true tales that are bonafide and verified. Specifically, we’re looking into a few unusual stories that took place before the days of greater sensitivity towards our non-human companions on this Earth, when business owners in the region capitalized on animal attractions.
The Alligator Bar
Where could you see a live alligator, go bowling, and imbibe Schlitz or wine (“for medical purposes,” of course) in one place in the 1880s? No need for a trip further south—downtown Asheville had you covered. Proprietor Sol Edel operated The Alligator Bar in 1887 and 1888 only, before he auctioned off his alcohol[1] and the building was converted to a general merchandise store.[2]
Evidence suggests that with his blonde beard, strong accent, and frequently rotating case of animals, Edel must have been quite an eccentric—something of a 19th century Tiger King.
He elicited “a great deal of merriment” from Buncombe County Commissioners when he applied for another liquor license after the closing of the Alligator Bar. They granted it, “on the stipulation that he have no animals attached.”[3] The next few days’ reporting included the sale of “his two bears and cage for $15”[4] and his plans to release his alligators into the French Broad River (on the dubious advice of Mr. F.A. Sondley).[5]
The Ostrich Farm
The year is 1902, and giant hats decorated with elaborate plumage and even whole, taxidermy birds were the height of women’s fashion. Unlike today, in the early 1900s, hats were not an occasional accessory, but a critical part of each day’s outfit.
At the turn of the 20th century, Asheville was well known as a tourist destination. Spurred on by the coming of the railroad, and George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate, our little city became a hub for elite travelers. Keeping up with the latest fashions was important for visitors and residents, alike.
But who was supplying all of the feathers for these hats? Enter: the Ostrich Farm.
Asheville’s ostrich farm was established in the Woolsey neighborhood in spring 1902 by A.Y. Pearson.[6] The farm had a two-part mission:
- Raise ostriches for their feathers to be sold for hats and boas (it is estimated that ostrich feathers were quite literally, worth their weight in gold)
- Act as a unique neighborhood attraction, quite like a zoo.[7]
Pearson had high hopes for his farm. Other similar ventures throughout the country (mostly in warmer climates like California, Arizona, and Florida) were doing quite well for themselves.
Before the farm would even open, however, the people of the Woolsey neighborhood were already at their wits’ end. A group of citizens concerned about the potential visibility of breeding ostriches (and the scandal that may ensue) filed a formal complaint against the business. They asked officials to require the ostrich farm to, “absolutely shield” the breeding grounds form public view.
This wasn’t the end of the farm’s problems, however. Ostriches are incredibly aggressive and dangerous, and at least two people narrowly escaped death while interacting with the birds, including one staff member.[8]
Eventually, the farm expanded beyond ostriches, perhaps hoping to encourage more visitors. Ducks and monkeys were brought in, and the farm began billing itself as a “zoological garden.”[9]
Ultimately, however, the ostrich farm failed. Asheville’s cool climate was not ideal for the birds, and not a single new ostrich was hatched. The farm eventually closed and liquidated its assets. Among their inventory was:
- 20 pheasants
- 18 ostriches
- 17 ducks
- 8 pigeons
- 1 great horned owl
- 1 monkey
- 1 raccoon
These animals were sold for about $7,000—more than $22,000 in today’s terms.[10]
Prohibition Sally
Meanwhile, in Black Mountain, as Terry Taylor previously shared on this blog in 2018, thousands of tourists in the 1930s stopped by Point Lookout along what is now Old U.S. 70 for an unusual spectacle. As the name implies, the location offered a scenic view of Royal Gorge, but it was also home to a couple of captive bears with individual quirks.
Sally lived at Point Lookout from her cubhood to her death at age twelve (and 600 pounds) in 1939.[11] Her repertoire of vocalizations—various grunts and groans to express herself—earned her the epithet of “Sally the talking bear.” She was also known as “Prohibition Sally” for her love of soft drinks, especially orange soda, which she would sit and drink from the bottle to the delight of onlookers.[12]
A companion, “Sonny, the waltzer”[13] or “Sammy the walking bear,”[14] is also mentioned in newspaper advertisements.
Personally, we strongly suspect that Prohibition Sally is the inspiration behind the story Dolly Parton told Jimmy Fallon a few years back—with the location changed to Pigeon Forge.
There’s no end to the animal tales that could be told! Be sure to also check out our past blog posts about Big Boy, “the world’s largest hog,” who hailed from Black Mountain, as well as temporary library resident Cadmus the Possum and other BCPL animal patrons.
You can also find books in our reference library to explore animal ecology in the Southern Appalachians, the history of livestock in our state, and more.
Plus, be sure not to miss more strange stories from award-winning storyteller Liz Z. Pardue at Pack Memorial Library on March 31 at the event Keep NC Weird! The Strange & Macabre History of Our State. Pardue will share tales from across the Old North State sure to give you a greater appreciation for the weird and wonderful!
Tuesday, March 31, 5:30 – 6:30pm
Lord Auditorium, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street, Asheville
This post is part two in a three-part extension of the presentation “Fictitious ‘Facts’ of Asheville’s Past,” originally presented by Katherine Cutshall at Nerd Nite Asheville, January 2024. Additions are by BCSC staff members Carissa Pfeiffer, Kathy Hill, and Jenny Bowen.
Read the full series:
- Asheville’s Weirdest Facts and Fictions, Part I: Dubious Legends
- Asheville’s Weirdest Facts and Fictions, Part II: True Tales of Eccentric Animals
- Asheville’s Weirdest Facts and Fictions, Part III: Counterculture Curiosities
[1] “No Bluff,” Asheville Citizen, December 23, 1888, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-auctioning-off-t/189056279/
[2] “Pavement Paragraphs,” Asheville Citizen, February 22, 1889, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-end-of-the-allig/189055735/
[3] “County Commissioners,” Daily Sun, July 3, 1888, page 4, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sun-soledelnoanimalsattached/36313415/
[4] Asheville Citizen, July 4, 1888, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-soledeltwobears/36313480/
[5] “The Alligators Must Go,” Asheville Citizen, July 6, 1888, page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-sol-edels-allig/189056694/
[6] ”Ostrich Farm to Be Located Here,” The Asheville Citizen, April 8, 1902, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-ostrich-farm/193002390/
[7] ”Work on Ostrich Farm Begins Today, Asheville Citizen, April 30, 1902, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-work-on-ostrich/193005189/
[8] ”Mr. Duval’s Narrow Escape from Death,” Asheville Times, December 16, 1902, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-asheville-times-mr-duvalls-narrow-e/193004595/
[9] ”Additions to the Farm,” Asheville Times, December 16, 1902, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-asheville-times-additions-to-the-far/193004787/ ; ”Monkeys Arrive at Ostrich Farm,” Asheville Citizen, July 30, 1903, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-monkeys-arrive-a/193005038/
[10] ”Stories of the State,” The Durham Herald-Sun, May 27, 1905, https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-ostrich-farm-sale/193069684/
[11] “’Sally’ Bear at point Lookout, Taken By Death,” Asheville Citizen-Times, October 29, 1939, page A3, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-sally-the-bear-o/189052992/
[12] “Take a Hike,”Asheville Citizen-Times, February 5, 2009, page B1, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-sally-the-bear/189052745/
[13] Point Lookout ad, Asheville Citizen-Times, May 24, 1936, page C8, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-sonny-the-waltze/14840159/
[14] “See Point Lookout,” Asheville Citizen-Times, May 31, 1936, page B5, https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-sammy-the-walkin/189054776/
