History of Asheville, NC
Asheville is the county home of Buncombe County. The city lies nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains between the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Just like Asheboro, NC, Asheville obtained its name from Mr. Samuel Ashe. Mr. Ashe was governor of NC in the 1790s.
Founding of the City
The city was founded in 1795 by Mr. John Burton. During the early years, Asheville was called Morristown and later Buncombe County. It was eventually incorporated in 1797. The original courthouse was built at about this time and included an open area that served as a public square. Population growth was initially slow until the railroad arrived around the middle part of the 1800s. In the late 1800s, Asheville's population grew enough to be reincorporated into a city. It was around this time that Mission Hospital started as a 5-room facility.
George Vanderbilt and the Biltmore Manison
In 1888, George "Commodore" Vanderbilt started construction on the Biltmore mansion. The Biltmore was and still is the largest private residence ever constructed in the US. Its construction attracted people to the area as well as facilitated the building of several luxury hotels.
Growing City
George W. Pack, a local philanthropist, donated additional acreage near the courthouse as well as the public square. As a result of this generous act, the Courthouse Square was renamed Pack Square.
Asheville saw the biggest economic and population booms in the 1920s. At this time a number of housing developments were built. As a result of these good economic times, a number of local area landmarks were erected. Most of these were constructed around Pack Square. Also, the Pack Memorial Library started in a new building in 1926 and a new courthouse was built in 1928.
Asheville saw the biggest economic and population booms in the 1920s. At this time a number of housing developments were built. As a result of these good economic times, a number of local area landmarks were erected. Most of these were constructed around Pack Square. Also, the Pack Memorial Library started in a new building in 1926 and a new courthouse was built in 1928.
Economic Struggles Leads to a Silver Lining
Shortly after this boom in the 1920s, the Great Depression struck the country and Asheville was not spared the devasting impacts. The county's largest bank went under in 1930 causing financial chaos for the city. Asheville refused to accept bankruptcy as a solution to their financial crisis, the city struggled for decades until finally resolving them all in 1977.
Because Asheville struggled financially during these decades after the Great Depression, many of the original buildings were spared from "urban renewal" that sweep the nation in the 50s and 60s. Consequently, Asheville's central downtown was not overhauled with newer modern buildings and today has a retained charm from the bygone years. People have increasingly valued these older historic structures making downtown Asheville somewhat unique today
Because Asheville struggled financially during these decades after the Great Depression, many of the original buildings were spared from "urban renewal" that sweep the nation in the 50s and 60s. Consequently, Asheville's central downtown was not overhauled with newer modern buildings and today has a retained charm from the bygone years. People have increasingly valued these older historic structures making downtown Asheville somewhat unique today
Famous Residents and Asheville Today
From a famous residents perspective, Asheville is the boyhood home of Thomas Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe wrote "Look Homeward, Angle" in the late 1920s. Because of his popularity and fame, The Thomas Wolfe Memorial was constructed and is open to the public. The Grove Park Inn was built in the early 1910s by EW Grove. Mr. Grove also constructed the Grove Arcade in the late 1920s. The Gove arcade thrived as a public market until WWII and today has been restored to continue to serve as a marketplace.
From a science and art perspective, the Asheville Art Museum is the only art facility in western NC. Founded in the late 1920s, Asheville is home to The University of North Carolina Asheville - a branch of the University located in Chapel Hill - serving as a public liberal arts institution.
Learn more here.
From a science and art perspective, the Asheville Art Museum is the only art facility in western NC. Founded in the late 1920s, Asheville is home to The University of North Carolina Asheville - a branch of the University located in Chapel Hill - serving as a public liberal arts institution.
Learn more here.