Going Local-Grier Truck Museum

As part of our ongoing series,
we enjoy featuring local historical sites.
Today we are introducing you to the 
C. Grier Beam Truck Museum in Cherryville, NC.
(To visit their website, click on the highlighted text.)

We'd been wanting to visit this place since before we moved to North Carolina.

Museums are always a great source of local history

and we sure do love the old stuff!

This museum is housed in the gas station used at one time

by Carolina Freight, one of the most successful trucking companies in the world.

As you enter the double doors,

you'll find a wonderful display of vintage photographs and memorabilia.

The desk and office furnishings are all original.

Our guide pointed out that the telephone had a three-digit number.

A timeline just inside the main building
aides visitors in understanding the impact that this company had on the region,
as well as the rest of the country.
From humble beginnings and a lot of hard work,
Mr. Grier took his company from one truck to a whole fleet,
which became known as Carolina Freight.

These vehicles were a sight to see.

Each one has been lovingly restored to its original glory.

This long-distance hauler has a unique component.

At the front of the trailer lies a sleeping compartment.
This allowed one driver to sleep while the other drove,
or allowed a single driver to pull over and have a place to rest.
There was no heat or air conditioning, not even a light.
Talk about roughin' it!

The trucks all look pristine and it is easy to see that they have been well cared for.

The wooden spokes on the tires of this beauty were an uncommon feature.

The simplicity of the interiors is so appealing.

Nothing to distract a driver from getting the job done.

Some youngsters of today may not even know how to operate the crank windows.

This early model was one of my favorites.

The windshield was split horizontally, as a form of early air conditioning.

Another feature was the windshield wipers that had to be operated by hand.

The lever on the upper section of the windshield

allowed the driver to move the wipers from the inside of the truck.

Look at this roomy cab!

We're so glad we finally got to see this fascinating place.

If you're every near Cherryville,

I hope you'll stop by.

Tell 'em daisy sent you!

Going Local Series:
New Library
Hardware Upgrade
Memory Lane Museum
Troutman Farmers' Market
Mooresville Farmers' Market
The Mundy House
Davidson Farmers' Market