This
museum
has a wonderful display of trucks dating back to 1927, plus lots of photos
and memorabilia. Open Thurs. 10-3, Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-3.
111 N. Mountain Street, Cherryville
For more information, see below, call 704-435-3072, or go to:
Housed partly in the original gas station where Carolina Freight had its humble beginnings, you can explore over 7500 square feet of beautifully maintained vintage trucks dating back to 1927 and memorabilia from the last seven decades.
C. Grier Beam's long and successful venture into the trucking industry began in 1932. Fresh out of college yet unemployed, his vision began with a 1931 Chevrolet truck bought on good faith and a series of notes. From hauling coal for the Lincoln County Schools, to transporting fresh fruit from Florida, this young entrepreneur expanded his enterprise from the fledgling Beam Trucking Company to an operation grossing over $137,000 in 1937.
Carolina Family
During its long and colorful history, Carolina Freight succeeded because of C. Grier Beam's commitment to his Carolina Family philosophy, treating all employees as family. It became one of the ten largest motor carriers of general commodities during the last two decades of its operation.
In 1995, Carolina Freight Corporation was acquired by Arkansas Best Corporation, which later experienced financial problems. Sadly enough, it was the end of an era for many members of the Carolina Family and the town of Cherryville. The C. Grier Beam Truck Museum is committed to preserving this rich history of both Carolina Freight and the trucking industry.
C. Grier Beam Truck Museum has been designated one of the area's top attractions with visitors from throughout the United States and numerous foreign countries. It is dedicated to a true visionary and the local people who turned his vision into a reality.
Directions: Take the 321 north exit from I-85, go a few miles, then take the 279 exit to Cherryville. When you get to Cherryville, continue going straight into the old downtown, turn right on Mountain Street, and the museum is just ahead on your left.
