Glen Inglis to Azalea: A Slice of Local History
If you ever find yourself wandering through the charming landscape of Azalea, North Carolina, you might stumble upon a piece of history that echoes through time—the former post office and general store, which stood proudly from the 1880s until 1957. Located right around where the entrance to the Billy Graham’s Cove training center is today, this site has seen its fair share of action and intrigue.
From Langs to Azalea
The story begins with the original name of the post office, Langs or Longs, named after the very first postmaster. Fast forward to 1890, and the name changes to reflect the area’s name, Glen Inglis. As communities evolve, so do their names, and eventually, the post office embraced the moniker Azalea, a name that still sings with floral beauty and Southern charm.
A Shocking Crime Spree
The quiet essence of Azalea was jolted awake in February 1920 by a series of robberies affecting neighboring areas like Oteen and Biltmore Village. Post offices and shops were hit, leaving the local community on edge. But the criminal activity reached a boiling point when the perpetrator returned to the Azalea post office on March 6 of that same year. Picture the scene—a bold thief, emboldened by past success, scheming to access the post office’s new safe, which had replaced a previous one that he had blown to bits. Talk about a daring move!
The Daring Capture
As fate would have it, the misled plans of the villain, identified as John A. Molaski, didn’t go as smoothly as he had envisioned. Caught red-handed, Molaski was a soldier who had served for seven years and had a cloud of desertion hanging over him. In a twist of fate, it was the police who managed to foil his plan, snagging him just as he was about to unlock the safe, likely thinking he could snatch an extra $100 along with whatever else he had on his mind. If he had been successful, his take would have amounted to around $230 in 1920, which translates to over $3,600 in today’s dollars—enough to make anyone’s eyes widen!
The End of an Era
The Azalea post office remained a central hub for the community until its closure in 1957. The 13 P.O. boxes, once buzzing with mail and activity, were relocated to Oteen, marking the end of a significant chapter in local history. A photograph taken by June Glenn right before this closure captures the essence of the bustling post office, a bittersweet memento of simpler times.
A Walk Through Time
Visiting the site today, one can almost picture the vibrancy of past life—children rushing to collect the day’s mail, families exchanging gossip, and perhaps even whispers about Molaski’s audacious heist. The echoes of the past remind us that communities evolve, but the stories that define them linger in the air.
So, the next time you stroll through Azalea, take a moment to reflect on the history that has shaped this quaint locality. With every step, you’re walking alongside the footprints of those who came before, making memories that are as rich and colorful as the blossoms surrounding you.
