Studebakers Will Roll Into Boone Memorial Day Weekend
Mutton Crossing Hosts Rare Mountain Meet

By Sherrie Norris

It is no secret that Watauga native and life-long resident Weldon Critcher of Bamboo Road in Boone is the local authority on the Studebaker . . . in fact, he is the proud owner of twelve vehicles bearing the Studebaker logo and design – from two 1929’s to his modern-day Avantis and several in between.




Critcher’s 1935 Land Cruiser, one of only six known to be in existence today, will be among the many Studebakers cruising through The High Country next weekend. Photo by Marie Freeman.

His fascination for the vehicle has led him to membership in numerous related organizations including The Antique Studebaker Club as well as The Studebaker Drivers Club (Southeast Zone), both of which have chosen Critcher’s hometown and business, Mutton Crossing, as the destination for their “Spring Fling in the Carolina Mountains” during Memorial Day weekend.

Critcher’s excitement is undeniable as he plans for the big meet, with the assistance of another Studebaker aficionado, Larry Core, of North Wilkesboro. The two-day gathering is expected to bring in “50-100” antique cruisers from Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina, which will have a significant economic impact up The High Country.

The meet will get under way on Friday evening, May 26 with registration and “Stud” talk, followed by a big day on Saturday with a car show from 9 am-2 pm open to the public, followed by a 66-mile round-trip tour on the Blue Ridge Parkway, over the Linn Cove Viaduct to Linville Falls and back to Boone for the club members and guests. The awards ceremony and banquet (for pre-registered participants only) will be held at Mutton Crossing Saturday evening at 6:30 pm. Sunday morning will see an impressive parade of classic beauties once again heading our for shopping, a visit to Moses Cone Estate and another look at the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and The High Country before leaving town.

The Studebaker has held a magic appeal since its first “vehicle” made its debut in the mid 1800’s. It all began in 1852 when the Studebaker Brothers started building horse drawn wagons. Their most famous, the Conestoga, was a primary means of transportation as the nation wandered west. In 1902, Studebaker started building electric automobiles, but soon went to gasoline power.

President Lincoln rode aboard its carriages while in office. Later, many fighting for our freedom occupied the Studebaker’s military vehicles in World War I. Today, those and more can be seen in The Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana.

As Critcher anticipates his big day with other “Stud” owners across the east coast, he extends an invitation to the community to stop by Mutton Crossing on Saturday, May 27 for the first-ever event of its kind held in Boone. “We had a small meet here last year, but this one will be much bigger with both The Antique Studebaker Club and The Studebakers Driving Club participating. Of course, a lot of our success depends on the weather. We’d like to see a good turn-out for these folks, so we invite everyone to come on by and see a piece of history as it rolls in to Boone.”

Mutton Crossing is located at 4469 Bamboo Road, just past Wilson Ridge Road coming from Hwy. 421. If you or someone you know owns a Studebaker and would like to participate in this event, contact Critcher at (828) 264-8141.