History
On February 15, 1861, the North Carolina General Assembly passed an act to establish Transylvania County from eastern portions of Jackson Countyand western portions of Henderson County.
Joseph P. Jordan introduced the act and named the county “Transylvania.” It was stipulated the county seat be located in a place most convenient to the majority of the citizens. The town would be called Brevard, in honor of Col. Ephraim Brevard, M.D., Revolutionary War hero and patriot.
The first county meeting was held on May 20, 1861, the same day North Carolina seceded from the Union. Eight days later, the site for Brevard was chosen, with B. C. Lankford, L. S. Gash and Alexander England, Jr. donating 50 acres of land to establish the town.
Main Street was laid out on the crest of the ridge and Broad Street laid out to cross it squarely. The intersection became the center of town, with one corner assigned to the courthouse. Seventy-nine lots fronting ten streets were surveyed. Space was reserved for public buildings and three churches. The remaining lots were sold at a public auction to enterprising businessmen.
Due to the Civil War, Brevard was not incorporated until 1868. And it was not until 1884 that Transylvania County completed the brick courthouse they had discussed at the first county meeting in 1861. The courthouse still stands proudly today, at the corner of Main and Broad Streets.
History information courtesy of the Transylvania Heritage Museum
Location
The City of Brevard encompasses 5.12 square miles in Western North Carolina at 2,231 feet above sea level. The city lies at 35°14'1.45" N, 82°44'3.49" W, about 27 miles from downtown Asheville, and 8 miles from the South Carolina border.
Population
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Brevard is 7,609. This is an increase of 12% from 6,789 in 2000.
Form of Government
The City of Brevard is governed by a council/manager form of government. The elected council hires a City Manager to manage the day to day operations of municipal services and government, and the Mayor and City Council members are elected by the citizens of Brevard. All serve 4 year terms which are staggered. Visit the Mayor and City Council page for more information about our elected officials.
Climate / Temperature
- Average temperatures are 38.6° F in the winter and 71.3° F in summer.
- The record low of -20° F, which occurred on February 17, 1958. The record high, 97° F, occurred on June 19, 1984.
Precipitation
- The average annual precipitation in Brevard is about 67 inches. Parts of Transylvania County receive over 100" annually.
- Thunderstorms occur on about 45 days each year. Most occur between the months of May and August.
- Precipitation across Transylvania County is highly dependent on elevation and location. Higher elevations along the northern and western border of the county receive as much as 100 inches of precipitation per year.
Snow
- The average seasonal snowfall is 11.9 inches.
- On average, 5 days per year have at least 1 inch of snow on the ground.
- The greatest snow depth on record is 17 inches, which was recorded on December 3, 1971. This was also the heaviest 1-day snowfall on record.