Asheville History

The Asheville area was first home to the Cherokee Indians. The descendants of this tribe of friendly, hard working Indian people still live here today, co-existing with the pioneer descendants that settled here in the 1700s and today's constant flow of newcomers.

Miners and botanists became the area's first explorers. Those seeking a new home and those wanting the health benefits of the higher altitude and mild temperatures soon followed them. Most of these settlers lived peacefully with the Cherokee Indians.

In 1794, John Burton, a pioneer town planner and real estate broker, founded the small crossroads town in a valley, surrounded by mountains. Asheville was known as Morristown during its early years, then Buncombe Courthouse. In 1797 it was incorporated and officially named Asheville in honor of North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe of New Hanover County.

Where Battery Park Hotel stands today, was the site of Battle Square. At that time it stood more than 100 feet above its present height and was called "River Hill." Named after Revolutionary War hero, Colonel Edward Buncombe, it became Buncombe County in 1792.

At Pack Place in Pack Square you can observe miniature replications of Asheville from the 1700s through the early 1900s. Looking at these miniatures of the downtown Asheville of long ago, really gives a keen sense of how much it has changed, how much has stayed the same—and how much it all has grown. The Vance Monument now stands on the site of county's first courthouse in the heart of downtown Asheville. As retailing boomed, social centers grew around this first courthouse.

The Roaring Twenties

Known as Asheville's Golden Era, the 1920s were truly a time of plenty. Asheville Author Thomas Wolfe described early 20th century Asheville as an “Oz of wonder and a purgatory of materialism.” Douglas Ellington's Art deco City Hall, Edwin Wiley's Arcade and L.B. Jackson's Gothic skyscraper are lasting monuments to this Golden Age. These buildings and their unique beauty have spurned the city on to this day to renovate the downtown area to recapture the past as well as modernize.

Beyond the Crash

The economic crash in 1930 left Asheville deeply in debt and city officials had to structure a repayment plan that would take 40 years to pay off. Though not as extravagant as the Golden era of the 20s, the 30s were known more for its social aspects. The famous Rhododendron Ball and all its glamor were at its peak at this time. Asheville was a bustle of shopping, baseball, golfing and farming.

The Post World War II Era brought growth once again. Subdivisions started to pop up, more industry moved to the area and Asheville prospered. The economic growth continued and today Asheville is a thriving, popular city. Its history and mountain values mingle with the present day fast paced city life.

Many “top places to live” lists include Asheville; the city rarely, if ever, falls out of the top 20. Downtown Asheville has recently enjoyed much renovation, with much more still underway. Its rapid rate of growth means more and more traffic on the main highways and the expressway gets busier every day. Most mountains in the area are spotted with homes. Many of the outlying areas have been bought up and new subdivisions seem to spring up monthly.