EC Moore Building
Feb 06, 03:10 PM
For more than 50 years this building was the Dodge-Plymouth car dealership. It was built and owned by Edward Covington Moore, also known as “E.C.”. He came to Murphy in 1910 (from Hayesville) and went into the jewelry business with his brother. The jewelry store was next door to the right, where the Hicks Service Station is now.
In 1918, only two families in Murphy had an automobile. The main reason was the condition of the roads - which were so bad that an automobile was not practical. However, by 1919 the roads had improved enough that E.C. decided to buy an auto dealership for a brand called “Willys-Overland Motors” based out of Toledo, OH. At that time Willys was the second largest producer of automobiles in the United States after Ford Motor Company. That year E. C. received one car. However, the 1920 recession brought the Willys Corporation to its knees. By 1922, E. C. applied for the Dodge dealership. Business was good and sales were brisk. The auto business continued to prosper while he lived.
Mr. Moore served on the town council and on the county commissioners board, where he was the chairman. At one time the county was in a serious financial crisis, and Mr. Moore took out a loan under his own name in order to bridge the crisis.
Mr. Moore also donated the land for the Free Methodist Church on Valley River Avenue. In 1940, across the street from the church, where the post office now stands, Mr. Moore built the first motel in Murphy, which he called “Mooreland Heights Tourist Court”.
At the time of E.C.’s death in 1963, his auto dealership was the oldest business in Murphy. The dealership then passed to E.C. Moore’s sons Cloe and Rae Moore. Cloe Moore served for many years as the Mayor of Murphy, starting in 1966.
Sources: Pictorial History of Cheroke County, 1995 and Freel’s History Book 1950. Family history submitted by Moselle Moore Puett. A 1961 Cherokee Scout article.
In 1918, only two families in Murphy had an automobile. The main reason was the condition of the roads - which were so bad that an automobile was not practical. However, by 1919 the roads had improved enough that E.C. decided to buy an auto dealership for a brand called “Willys-Overland Motors” based out of Toledo, OH. At that time Willys was the second largest producer of automobiles in the United States after Ford Motor Company. That year E. C. received one car. However, the 1920 recession brought the Willys Corporation to its knees. By 1922, E. C. applied for the Dodge dealership. Business was good and sales were brisk. The auto business continued to prosper while he lived.
Mr. Moore served on the town council and on the county commissioners board, where he was the chairman. At one time the county was in a serious financial crisis, and Mr. Moore took out a loan under his own name in order to bridge the crisis.
Mr. Moore also donated the land for the Free Methodist Church on Valley River Avenue. In 1940, across the street from the church, where the post office now stands, Mr. Moore built the first motel in Murphy, which he called “Mooreland Heights Tourist Court”.
At the time of E.C.’s death in 1963, his auto dealership was the oldest business in Murphy. The dealership then passed to E.C. Moore’s sons Cloe and Rae Moore. Cloe Moore served for many years as the Mayor of Murphy, starting in 1966.
Sources: Pictorial History of Cheroke County, 1995 and Freel’s History Book 1950. Family history submitted by Moselle Moore Puett. A 1961 Cherokee Scout article.