Mt. Airy Furniture Industry
The Mount Airy, NC Furniture Industry
This page is focused on one of the biggest industries served by rail in Mount Airy.
Information and photos are courtesy of the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History.
Track Diagram
This diagram, derived from a 1922 Sanborn map from the Library of Congress, shows the main furniture companies in Mount Airy, the Mount Airy Table and Mantel Company, the Mount Airy Furniture Company, the Mount Airy Chair Company, and the National Furniture Company. All were served by the A &Y.
History
There were several furniture companies located in Mount Airy, including The Mount Airy Furniture Company, the Mount Airy Chair Company, and the Mount Airy Mantel and Table Company. Over time they merged to form the National Furniture Company. Left is an aerial view of the factories in Mount Airy. Click on image to see larger version with each factory labeled.
Photo Gallery
Here are photos I obtained courtesy of the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History and other sources.
Aerial view shows The Mount Airy Furniture Company that was formed in 1895 by J. F. Yokley, C. R. Merritt and E. H. Kochtitzky. It manufactured case goods including bedroom furniture, executive office furniture, pie safes and various cabinets. Through the years it expanded to include dining room and occasional chairs in its production. It merged in 1966 with the Mount Airy Chair Company (see entry below).
You can see the HAER Report on Mount Airy Furniture Company
The factory building was sold at auction. Mount Airy Regional History Museum Collection.
Unfortunately, on June 9, 1997, the Mount Airy Furniture Company was completely destroyed by a devastating fire. Today, one can barely tell there once was a thriving furniture industry in Mount Airy.
The National Furniture Company was founded in 1901 by J. H. Prather, Charles J. Whitlock, T. B. McCargo, E. C. Foy and R. L. Haymore.
The National Furniture Company, looking North on Factory Street
National Furniture Company, looking north. On the right side of Factory Street are company houses.
In the lower right corner is the office of Mt. Airy Mantel & Table and in the, lower left corner are the dry kilns for Mt. Airy Mantel & Table. National Furniture merged with Mt. Airy Mantle and Table Company around 1974 to become National Mount Airy Furniture. They moved from Mt. Airy out to Sheep Farm Road. It was bought later by the Virginia-based Bassett Furniture. Around 1997, the National name was eliminated and the company just went by Bassett Furniture.
In the lower right corner is the office of Mt. Airy Mantel & Table and in the, lower left corner are the dry kilns for Mt. Airy Mantel & Table. Founded in 1902 by George O. Graves, Calvin Graves and B. H. Williamson, the firm was a robust customer for the railroad. National Furniture merged with Mt. Airy Mantle and Table Company around 1974 to become National Mount Airy Furniture. They moved from Mt. Airy out to Sheep Farm Road. It was bought later by the Virginia-based Bassett Furniture. Around 1997, the National name was eliminated and the company just went by Bassett Furniture.
The Mount Airy Chair Company was formed in 1921, by Bruce and James Yokley (brothers). They were also involved in the Mount Airy Furniture Company. An article in 1928 states the manufacturing output included drawing room and dining room chairs, dining room furniture, and bed room chairs