Asheville history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the area where modern Asheville is located today is rooted in deep antiquity, when these lands were part of the Cherokee nation's territory. European colonisation began here in 1784 with the arrival of Colonel Samuel Davidson. The official starting point in the city's biography is considered to be 1797, when the settlement was incorporated. Initially, it bore the name Morristown, but it was soon renamed in honour of the popular Governor of North Carolina, Samuel Ashe.

Key Factors of Development

The growth and development of the city in this region of the USA were driven by several strategic advantages:

• Geographical Location: The city is favourably situated on a plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, which created natural conditions for habitation and defence.
• Trade Route: A crucial impulse for the economy was the opening of the Buncombe Turnpike in 1828. This route connected Tennessee and Kentucky with the southern coast, turning the city into a bustling transit point for merchants and livestock drovers.
• Political Weight: The status of administrative centre for the vast Buncombe County allowed the city to concentrate the political and judicial power of the western part of the state in its hands.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even before the arrival of the railway, the city began to acquire the features of an elite resort. Thanks to the cool mountain air and picturesque views, it became a favourite summer holiday destination for wealthy families from Charleston and Savannah, who escaped the heat and malaria of the lowlands here. This formed a unique early economy based not only on agriculture and transit trade but also on hospitality, which laid the foundation for future tourism prosperity.

Key Dates in Asheville's History

The journey of Asheville from a frontier settlement to the cultural capital of the American South is a fascinating story full of significant events. Discover the key moments that shaped its unique appearance and character.

• 1797 — The city of Asheville is officially founded on the site of a small settlement, named after North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe. This moment became the starting point in the development of the future centre of mountain tourism.
• 1880 — The arrival of the first train radically changes the city's destiny. The railway connects the isolated mountain region with the rest of the country, opening it up to tourists and investors and launching an era of prosperity.
• 1895 — Construction of the Biltmore Estate is completed. The grandiose castle, erected by George Vanderbilt, becomes not only an architectural gem but also a major attraction that continues to draw visitors to this day.
• 1900 — America's future literary star, writer Thomas Wolfe, is born in Asheville. Later, he would immortalise his hometown under the name "Altamont" in the famous novel "Look Homeward, Angel" (1929), bringing it worldwide fame.
• 1913 — The legendary hotel The Grove Park Inn opens. Built from massive granite boulders, it becomes a symbol of luxury mountain holidays and still welcomes guests from all over the world.
• 1920s — The city experiences a construction boom, resulting in Asheville's centre being adorned with magnificent buildings in the Art Deco style. Today, this is one of the most complete and impressive architectural ensembles in this style in the USA.
• 1930 — The Great Depression strikes a blow to the city's economy. The financial collapse leads to huge debts, but paradoxically helps preserve the historic appearance of the centre, as new construction virtually stops for decades.
• 1942–1945 — During World War II, Asheville plays an unusual role. The Grove Park Inn first houses interned diplomats from Axis countries, and later serves as a rehabilitation centre for military personnel.

Asheville's Development Stages: From Mountain Resort to Cultural Hub

Asheville's history is marked by several key turning points that transformed it from a secluded town into a thriving centre of tourism, arts, and innovation. Here are the main milestones of its development:

1. Arrival of the Railway (1880)

This event became a catalyst for growth. The rail connection, opened on 2 October 1880, ended Asheville's isolation, turning it into a popular health resort for wealthy Americans. The city began to develop rapidly as a tourist destination.

2. Construction of the Biltmore Estate (1889–1895)

The erection of George Vanderbilt's grandiose castle not only created thousands of jobs but also gave the city its main attraction. Biltmore, completed in 1895, cemented Asheville's reputation as an elite holiday destination and became a powerful engine for its economy.

3. Art Deco Architectural Boom (1920s)

During the economic prosperity of the 1920s, downtown Asheville was built up with magnificent buildings in the Art Deco style. This formed the city's unique architectural appearance, which is one of its calling cards today and, according to experts, is second only to Miami Beach in terms of preservation.

4. The Great Depression and Heritage "Preservation" (1930s)

The financial crash of 1930, when almost all local banks closed, halted the city's development for decades, leaving it with the highest debt per capita in the country. Paradoxically, this is precisely what saved the historic centre from demolition and redevelopment, preserving its authentic look for future generations.

5. Literary Recognition (1929)

The publication of the novel "Look Homeward, Angel" by Asheville native Thomas Wolfe brought the city global fame. Depicted under the fictional name Altamont, the city became a place of pilgrimage for literature fans, which strengthened its cultural status.

6. City Centre Renaissance (1980s – 1990s)

After decades of stagnation following the Great Depression, a targeted programme to revitalise the downtown area began in the 1980s. The opening of independent shops, restaurants, and art galleries breathed new life into the historic centre and laid the foundation for Asheville's modern bohemian atmosphere.

7. Craft Brewing Revolution (since 1994)

In 1994, Oscar Wong founded Highland Brewing, the first brewery in the city since Prohibition. This event marked the beginning of a craft brewing boom, thanks to which Asheville became one of the leaders of the movement in the USA and earned the nickname "Beer City USA", attracting a new wave of tourists and becoming an important part of its modern economy.

The architectural appearance of Asheville is a living illustration of its rich history, where each period has left its unique mark. The city presents an eclectic combination of styles, from the luxury of the "Gilded Age" to the strict elegance of Art Deco, making a walk through it a true journey through time. The city's development was closely linked to its status as a resort, which determined the appearance of many architectural masterpieces here.

The Gilded Age and French Renaissance (Late 19th Century)

With the arrival of the railway, Asheville became a magnet for America's wealthiest families. The pinnacle of this period was the construction of the Biltmore Estate (1889–1895). Erected for George Vanderbilt, this grandiose mansion is the largest private home in the USA. Its architectural style, Châteauesque, is inspired by the castles of the French Loire Valley. The building, designed by Richard Morris Hunt, became a symbol of luxury and the region's main architectural treasure.

Arts and Crafts Movement (Early 20th Century)

In contrast to Victorian elaborateness, the Arts and Crafts style, which valued manual labour and natural materials, gained popularity in the early 20th century. The brightest example of this direction in Asheville is the legendary hotel The Omni Grove Park Inn, opened in 1913. Built from massive granite boulders quarried on the slopes of Sunset Mountain, the hotel is harmoniously integrated into the mountain landscape. Its interiors, featuring furniture by Roycrofters craftsmen and huge fireplaces, create the atmosphere of a majestic yet cosy sanctuary.

Art Deco Era (1920s)

The 1920s were a period of economic boom that transformed downtown Asheville. During this time, many commercial and administrative buildings were erected in the then-fashionable Art Deco style. Today, downtown Asheville boasts one of the most complete and impressive collections of Art Deco architecture in the country, second only, in the opinion of many, to Miami Beach. Key buildings of this period include the octagonal City Hall, designed by Douglas Ellington, and the former S&W Cafeteria building.

Heritage Preservation and Modern Development

Paradoxically, the Great Depression, which halted the city's rapid development, helped preserve its unique architectural appearance. Due to huge municipal debt, large-scale construction was not conducted in Asheville for decades, which saved the historic centre from the demolition and "renewal" that befell many other American cities. Today, Asheville continues to treat its heritage with care, restoring ancient buildings and harmoniously integrating new projects into the urban fabric.

Notable People Connected to Asheville

Asheville, with its rich history and inspiring atmosphere, has been home or a temporary refuge for many prominent individuals. These people left an indelible mark not only on the history of the city but also on the culture of the USA and the world.

Thomas Wolfe (1900–1938)

Perhaps the most famous native of Asheville, Thomas Wolfe was one of the giants of 20th-century American literature. He immortalised his hometown under the fictional name "Altamont" in the autobiographical novel "Look Homeward, Angel" (1929). Although his candid portrayal of fellow countrymen caused a scandal at first, today Wolfe is the city's main source of pride, and his childhood home, the "Old Kentucky Home" boarding house, has become a National Historic Landmark.

George Washington Vanderbilt II (1862–1914)

A representative of the famous Vanderbilt dynasty, a patron of the arts and a visionary who forever changed the face of Asheville. In 1888, charmed by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, he began the construction of the Biltmore Estate — the largest private home in the USA. This grandiose project in the French Renaissance style not only attracted the best architects and craftsmen to the region but also made Asheville a world-class tourist destination.

Zelda Fitzgerald (1900–1948)

Writer, artist, and bright icon of the "Jazz Age", wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Her connection to Asheville has a tragic tone. Suffering from mental illness, she spent the last years of her life at Highland Hospital. In 1948, her life was cut short by a fire that engulfed the hospital. This tragedy forever inscribed her name in the city's history.

Robert Moog (1934–2005)

Inventor, engineer, and pioneer of electronic music, creator of the famous Moog synthesizer. In 1978, he moved to Asheville, where he lived and worked for nearly 30 years, founding his company Moog Music here. His instruments revolutionised music, and today the Moogseum — a museum dedicated to his life and legacy — is located in downtown Asheville.

Edwin Wiley Grove (1850–1927)

A pharmaceutical tycoon who made his fortune inventing a "tasteless" malaria tonic, who invested his wealth in Asheville's development. His most famous project was the luxurious hotel The Omni Grove Park Inn (1913), built from granite boulders. He also built the city's first "shopping arcade" — the Grove Arcade, which remains one of the architectural gems of downtown today.

Nina Simone (1933–2003)

Legendary singer, pianist, and civil rights activist. Although she was born in the neighbouring town of Tryon, her development as an artist is closely linked to Asheville. It was in Asheville that she studied at the private boarding school Allen High School for Girls, where she honed her piano skills. Her legacy is deeply revered throughout the Western North Carolina region.