Franklin in Macon County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Brave New World of Beauty Industry Offered Opportunities for Women
| — | Women's History Trail | — |
Photographed by David Rozzelle, September 25, 2026
1. The Brave New World of Beauty Industry Offered Opportunities for Women Marker
The word 'beautician' entered the language in 1925 and Franklin women soon embraced the field. Maretta Munday opened the first salon in town and established a 'college of beauty culture' here. Within a few years, Macon women had a choice of beauty shoppes. Those operating salons on Main Street in the 1930s included Pearl Mashburn, Esther Clouse Cunningham, Mabel Ray, and Hallie Russell. Salons offered respectable work, opportunity for self employment, and a chance to provide indispensable services to customers. Friendships blossomed in these feminine retreats, several of which operated in this building.
Erected by Folk Heritage Association of Macon County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 35° 10.924′ N, 83° 22.812′ W. Marker is in Franklin, North Carolina, in Macon County. It is on East Main Street (Business U.S. 441) west of Stewart Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 E Main St, Franklin NC 28734, United States
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Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically he Mountains in the Golden Corner. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Built in 1907 (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street Milliners (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bartram Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The North Carolina Bartram Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Built in 1908 (within shouting distance of this marker); William Bartram Naturalist (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Built in 1921 (about 300 feet away); Women Mica Workers (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by David Rozzelle, September 25, 2026
2. The Brave New World of Beauty Industry Offered Opportunities for Women Marker in context.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2026, by David Rozzelle of Knoxville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 25, 2026, by David Rozzelle of Knoxville, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
