I. K. Stearns with a group of children in front of block home

I. K. Stearns with a group of children in front of block home

A group of children, many wearing ties, pose with I. K. Stearns (1895-1942) in front of a block home. This photograph was taken by “Doc” Kelly Bennett (1890-1974), a prominent pharmacist in Swain County, NC. Owner of the Bryson City Drug Company, Bennett served as alderman and mayor of Bryson City, on the Swain County Board of Education, as well as several terms as NC State Senator and NC State Representative. He participated in numerous other initiatives and organizations. Known as the “Apostle of the Smokies,” Bennett was an instrumental figure in the movement to create the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was also an avid photographer, skillfully documenting a wide variety of people, places, and events in Swain County and the surrounding area.

Bennett, Kelly, 1890-1974

jpg;

2021-05-24

3.5" x 5.75"(dimension)

Picturing Appalachia