About Asheville NC
Asheville is a city in the state of North Carolina that also serves as the county seat for Buncombe County. It has the distinction of been the biggest city in the western region of the state, and is as well the principal city in the Asheville Metropolitan region. The history of the city of Asheville commenced in the late 18th century. In 1784 Colonel Samuel Davidson and his family moved to the Swannanoa Valley, and constructed a log cabin on the shores of Christian Creek. Very shortly afterwards, Samuel Davidson was hoodwinked into the woods and ultimately killed by Cherokee hunters. In response to this murder, Davidson’s brother, Major William Davidson and his brother in law, started an expedition to retrieve his body and to avenge his death. After this expedition, William Davidson as well as other members of his extended family settled at the mouth of the Bee Tree Creek.
Buncombe County was established in 1792, and its designated county seat was Morristown, which was established in 1797. Morristown was officially incorporated in 1797 under the name of Asheville in honor of the North Carolina governor; Samuel Ashe. In the latter part of the year 1880, the very first railway line reached this North Carolinian city. The city of Asheville experienced a gradual, but steady growth as industrial plants and residential properties were built. Textile mills were also established and other plants that manufactured wood and mica products along with food and other commodities. Very shortly after, Asheville put in place the very first electric street railway lines in the entire state of North Carolina.
By the turn of the 20th century, the city of Asheville became the 3rd biggest city in North Carolina. Between the 1910s and the 1920s, Asheville prospered. During this period of time Rutherford P Hayes, the son of President Rutherford B Hayes purchased land in the city, and helped in the creation of the Black American Burton Street Community. He as well worked in establishing a sanitary district in West Asheville, which was later on merged with Asheville in the year 1917.
The Great Depression hit this North Carolinian city pretty hard, and a grand total of 8 of its local banks failed. Due to the explosive growth witnessed in the city during the preceding decades, the per capita debt of the city of Asheville was the biggest in the whole country. From the commencement of the Great Depression to the 1980s, the economic growth of this North Carolina city was very slow. During these lean times of financial difficulties, most building in the downtown area remained unchanged. To which end, the city of Asheville now boasts of one of the most notable and comprehensive concentration of Art Deco architecture in the nation.
Request a Free Estimate
Asheville Fence Company Pros
Top attractions
Live music is a key element in the tourist based economy of the city of Asheville and its surroundings. This North Carolina city is highly renowned for hosting numerous seasonal festivities. While many of its nightclubs and performance venues offer splendid opportunities for both locals and visitors to engage in a wide range of entertainment events. One of the most popular festivals in the city of Asheville is, without question, the Shindig on the Green that is held on Saturday nights in the months of July and August. This event commences at sundown and boasts of bluegrass bands together with dance teams on stage. At the same time, informal jam sessions are held beneath the trees, which surround the County Courthouse. There is also the Mountain Dance & Folk Festival that is believed to be the first of its kind to dubbed ‘Folk’ Festival in the United States. The Mountain Dance & Folk Festival was first held in the city of Asheville in the early 20th century.
Yet another trendy outdoor music event in Asheville is the ‘Downtown After 5,’ which is a monthly concert series that hosts touring musicians and local acts. The city of Ashville as well hosts the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam that is held yearly to gather funds for Habitat for Humanity. This city of Asheville event attracts nationally touring musicians. Apart from these performances, Haynes and his band, which is known as Gov’t Mule also perform.
Asheville also boasts of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and the Asheville Lyric Opera. As for performing arts venues, this North Carolinian city is home to the Asheville Community Theatre, which was established in the mid 20th century, 1946 to be more specific. This theatre is well noted for staging the very first amateur production of the Appalachian drama ‘Dark of the Moon.’ Shortly afterwards Charlton Heston and his wife took over the control of the Asheville Community Theatre. Today, this theatre boasts of 2 different performance stages, which are the Mainstage Auditorium and the Black Box performance space.
Bitmore Estate
The Bitmore Estate is a large French Renaissance estate that was built by George Vanderbilt. This 250 room property, boosting of 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and a grand total of 65 fireplaces, took 6 full years to be constructed. It also has 8,000 acres worth of mesmerizing gardens, which were designed by Frederick Olmsted. The Bitmore Estate as well comes complete with 2 ½ miles of walking trails. Today, visitors to this city of Asheville popular attraction get to explore its fascinating architecture, its works of art and the history of the property itself and its gardens. The Bitmore Estate also hosts varying seasonal events that are a big hit with both locals and visitors alike. One of the most prominent of which is the Bitmore Blooms, which is held in the spring season. This estate as well hosts summer concerts and grand Christmas displays. The last of which showcases more than 40 opulent trees.
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail meanders from Maine to Georgia, and stretches over 2,000 miles across 14 states in the country. Around 320 of these miles are to be found in the state of North Carolina. This particular segment of the famous Appalachian Trail features most of the tallest peaks, with some been more than 6,000 feet high. Hiking enthusiasts can set out on multi-day or even weeklong exploration journeys in the Appalachian Trail.
Pisgah National Forest
The Pisgah National Forest is an impressive over 500,000 acre parcel of land, which is situated around 40 miles on the northeastern direction of the city of Asheville’s downtown area. It is widely acclaimed for the numerous recreational activities it can provide to outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Not to mention the numerous scenic views of this region of the state of North Carolina. Boasting of hundreds of miles of trails, many waterfalls and swimming holes, the Pisgah National Forest is well noted for offering diverse opportunities to fully appreciate the great outdoors. In essence, it is categorized in 3 different ranger districts, which are the Pisgah Ranger District, the Appalachian Ranger District and the Grandfather Ranger District.
The first of which is renowned for presenting the most convenient access to the Pisgah National Forest’s numerous waterfalls. On the other hand, if you are a more seasoned hiker, you can get to try out the infinitely more challenging trails of the Grandfather Ranger District. While the Appalachian Ranger District boasts of the finest equestrian trails that traverse along the North Carolina and Tennessee border. The Appalachian Ranger District also comes complete with numerous choice biking trails, hiking trails, fishing holes, picnic grounds and even campgrounds. As such, a trip to the city of Asheville is never complete without finding time to explore the Pisgah National Forest.