Well, that was its name when founded in 1908. Founder Robert Lewis changed the name in 1910. His was the first purpose-built funeral home in Asheville. The ad appeared in 1950.
The 1949 hearse shown, and a 1941 Cadillac family car, each bought new by Mr. Lewis, remained his only vehicles until his retirement in the 1970's, which of course gave some the opinion that he lived in a bygone era, and his business dwindled significantly. He became a friend of the owners of another Asheville funeral home, and they became the owners of those cars. Unfortunately, they sold their business to one of the conglomerates, which took ownership of all rolling stock. Mr. Lewis' building was sold to the county in the '80's, and was demolished to make way for an addition to the adjacent court house.
The 1949 hearse shown, and a 1941 Cadillac family car, each bought new by Mr. Lewis, remained his only vehicles until his retirement in the 1970's, which of course gave some the opinion that he lived in a bygone era, and his business dwindled significantly. He became a friend of the owners of another Asheville funeral home, and they became the owners of those cars. Unfortunately, they sold their business to one of the conglomerates, which took ownership of all rolling stock. Mr. Lewis' building was sold to the county in the '80's, and was demolished to make way for an addition to the adjacent court house.
