History of
Bryson City
and Swain County
North Carolina

Links to Other Web Sites in the Smokies

Kelly Bennett: Dedicated to Bryson City and Swain County

Kelly E. Bennet was dedicated to Bryson City and Swain County. We are priveleged this was his homeland. He served fourteen years as mayor of Bryson City; four years as Bryson City Alderman; 20 years on the Swain County Board of Education; five years on the NC Board of Pharmacy; Chairman, NC National Park, Parkway and Forest Development Commission; seven years on the NC Hospital Board of Control; Elder in the Presbyterian Church; 32nd degree Mason; Shriner; Past president of the Bryson City Rotary Club; member of the National Audubon Club; the National Travel Club, the American Forestry Association, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the National Association of Retail Druggists, the NC Pharmaceutical Association; Trustee and co-founder of the Cherokee Historical Association.

P.R. Bennett, Jr., Mayor 1973

P.R. Bennett, Jr., elected Mayor in 1973 and went on to serve longer than any other Mayor in Bryson City's history. He retired from the Bryson City volunteer Fire Department after 50 years and seven months service. In 1969 he did most of the work himself on the Bryson City Fire Station. In gratitude for his service to the town and it's people, the Fire Station was named the "P.R. Bennett, Jr." building. Mayor Bennett attended the North Carolia at Chapel Hill; he was a graduate of Houphill Diesel Engineering School in Memphis, Tenn.; was a fire service instructor at Southwestern Communnity College; and served as Treasurer of the Southwestern Planning and Economic Development Commission ( Region A ); is a veteran of WWII, Airborne Engineers; Member and Elder of the Presbyterian Church. Mayor Bennett is the husband of Evelyn Bennett, retired nurse, and the Fatherb of P.R. Bennett III and Olivia Bennett-Wood.