Alma Fry Wheeler (1876-1938)

The Hotel Entella

An advertisement for the Hotel Entella, of which Wheeler was a widely known and respected manager for many years.  This specific ad ran in the Asheville Gazette-News, Oct 31, 1912, although this exact ad would feature in many western NC newspapers for the first few decades of the 20th century ("Hotel Entella"). According to Friends of the BC Cemetary, the Fry family entered the hotel business “On December 5, 1906, Frank and Mattie bought the Entella Hotel from A. H. Elmore and wife. Until they moved to Bryson City in 1914, Frank's sister Virginia Alma Fry Wheeler managed the hotel” (Douthit)

Wheeler would become the chief operator of the hotel for quite a many years:
In 1926 Frank and Mattie went to Waynesville N. C. Frank was the office manager and accountant for Dicus Brothers Construction Company.    Mattie operated the Bonnie Castle, a boarding house on Pigeon Street. Alma Wheeler, with the assistance of John Thomas (6/7/1881--11/15/1964} and Kate (8/19/1885--1/18/1964} Sandlin, operated the hotel.    Frank and Mattie returned to the Entella Hotel in1935. (Douthit)

Aethelwold

Aethelwold is a famed hotel of Brevard, NC.  According to the Transylvania County Planning and Community Development group, it was "originally owned by the locally prominent McMinn family, the Aethelwold Hotel owes its unique name to John McMinn’s wife, Ethel" ("Transylvania County").  Built in 1901, "The Aethelwold Hotel is the largest hotel from the early twentieth century still standing" ("Transylvania County").

Although not mentioned on the county website, Wheeler leased the hotel in last 1921 ("Aetherwold Hotel").

To the left are a series of articles from the Brevard News, Oct. 7 and Oct. 28, 1921, respectively, covering the change of management at Aetherwold.

Investor

In addition to hotel management, Wheeler also invested money into at least one local business as an incorporator.  Wheeler is listed by High Point, NC newspaper The Review as incorporator of Bryson City Service Company, a local garage ("Bryson City").  For reference, according to online inflation calculator in2013dollars.com, $10,000 in 1919 is equal to over $144,000 dollars in 2021.