The Trust General Store was established in 1986 as a completer grocery store. It operates in the tradition of the general stores that served the Spring Creek Community in the past. From 1900 until the 1950’s, the Ebbs and Gardner General Merchandise Store stood right across the highway from the present store location. A 1903 ledger from that store is on display evidencing the old barter system whereby corn, eggs, chicken and meats were exchanged for staples and merchandise. The Trust General Store housed the Spring Creek Café which has built a reputation for excellent food at old fashion prices.
Are You Looking For Old-Fashion Trust In Today’s World?
You can still find Trust, located between Luck and Bluff in the ruggedly beautiful unspoiled community of Spring Creek, NC. A spectacular 25 mile drive northwest of Asheville, Trust is in Madison County – a treasure trove of unusual names. Arriving at Trust from Asheville you pass Little Sandy Mush, Dogget Cap and Mike’s Knob: from Waynesville you drive through Iron Duff and Betsy’s Gap; from Hot Springs you cross Van Cliff and Bluff Mountain; on the road from Lemon Gap and Shut-In you view Max Patch and Meadow Fork and you can brave Troublesome Gap from Big Pine and PawPaw. Then there are mountains called No Far and No Business, an area dubbed Spill Corn and a farm called Plum-Nilly (plum out of Asheville and “nilly” into Tennessee.
What’s In a Name?
In the latter part of the 19th century, under the Rural Free Delivery System, post offices were usually found in homes or stores. A network of “flag” post offices was established so the settlers could reach one easily by foot or by horseback. In those days, before the invention of zip codes., each of these locations was required to have a unique name to facilitate distribution of the mail by the local postmaster. Often the name of the family member or of a topographical feature was used. The P.D. Ebbs store at the junction of Friezeland Creek and Spring Creek Roads (now NC Highways 209 and 63) was officially designated as a mail distribution center in the early 1900’s. There are two versions of how the towns Trust and Luck got their names. A group of settlers choose a name for the new post office. A heated debate that followed was cut short when a dog belonging to Farmer Price wandered into the circle of community residents. The dog’s name was “Trust”. According to Pink Plemmons, founder of Luck, a letter was sent to the Post Master General pointing out the need for post offices in the area, saying the community put their “Trust and Luck” that they would get one. They were so named.
Welcome To Trust
The valley of Spring Creek can boast some of the most dramatic scenery in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is, however, the people that make the area different. “They are proud people,” wrote historian Cratis Williams, “with a historic heritage that is uniquely their own. With pride in themselves and appreciation of the grandeur which lies about them, they have managed to preserve their culture and conserve a beautiful homeland”.
Please stay awhile in Spring Creek. Have a bite to eat. Explore the mountains. Experience a sunset from the top of Max Patch. Reflect on a centuries-old culture and get to know some wonderful people.