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53-521: The Grove Arcade , also known as the Arcade Building , is a historic commercial and residential building in Asheville, North Carolina , in its downtown historic district . It was built from 1926 to 1929, and is a Tudor Revival and Late Gothic Revival style building consisting of two stacked blocks. The lower block is a rectangular slab with rounded corners; it is capped by the second block,

106-526: A Freemason . It was the meeting place for local Masons through much of the 20th century. On July 15–16, 1916, the Asheville area was subject to severe flooding from the remnants of a tropical storm which caused more than $ 3 million in damage. Areas flooded included part of the Biltmore Estate, and the company that ran it sold some of the property to lower their maintenance costs. This area

159-531: A January daily average of 37.1 °F (2.8 °C) and highs remaining at or below freezing on 5.5 afternoons. Official record temperatures range from −16 °F (−26.7 °C) on January 21, 1985 to 100 °F (37.8 °C) on August 21, 1983; the record cold daily maximum is 4 °F or −15.6 °C on February 4, 1895, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 77 °F or 25 °C on July 17, 1887. Readings as low as 0 °F (−17.8 °C) or as high as 95 °F (35 °C) rarely occur,

212-649: A bill to redraw the boundaries of Buncombe and Henderson counties to include the proposed airport property entirely in Buncombe, allowing Asheville to annex the complete site. The last passenger train to serve Asheville, a coach-only remnant of the Southern Railway's Carolina Special , made its last run on December 5, 1968. From the 1950s to the 1970s, urban renewal displaced much of Asheville's African-American population. Asheville's neighborhoods of Montford and Kenilworth, now mostly white, used to have

265-423: A combined population of 469,015 at the 2020 census . Asheville's East End/Valley Street stands as the oldest and most culturally significant black community in the city. As of the 2020 census , there were 94,589 people, 40,340 households, and 18,902 families residing in the city. At the 2000 census , there were 68,889 people, 30,690 households and 16,726 families residing in the city. The population density

318-570: A majority of black home owners. Since the late 20th century, there has been an effort to maintain and preserve the South Asheville Cemetery, in the Kenilworth neighborhood. It is the largest public black cemetery in the state, holding about 2000 burials, dating from the early 1800s and slavery years, to 1943. Fewer than 100 of the graves are marked by tombstones. In 2003, Centennial Olympic Park bomber Eric Robert Rudolph

371-511: A much wider, oval-shaped base. The mound was rediscovered in 1984. It was first excavated in a more than two-year project by a team from Appalachian State University , beginning in 2000. The river is 22 miles or 35 kilometers long, and it flows entirely within the geographical boundaries of Buncombe County . It is a valuable resource to the county, providing drinking water to the Asheville metropolitan area, and numerous recreational opportunities. In September 2004, extremely heavy rains from

424-651: A number of Baptist churches, Roman Catholic , Methodist , Lutheran , Presbyterian , and Churches of Christ , as well as a few non-Christian places of worship, such as Urban Dharma, a Tibetan Buddhist center of the Drikung Kagyu school. Asheville is the headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina , which is seated at the Cathedral of All Souls . Asheville is an important city for North Carolinian Catholics, who make pilgrimages to

477-547: A symbol of Venice, Italy . This article about a property in Buncombe County, North Carolina on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Asheville, North Carolina Asheville ( / ˈ æ ʃ v ɪ l / ASH -vil ) is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina , United States. Located at the confluence of

530-399: A two-tier set-back story. The steel frame and reinforced concrete building was designed to serve as a base for an unbuilt skyscraper . It features a roof deck with a bronze semi-elliptical balcony, molded terra cotta pilasters, and a ziggurat -like arrangement of huge ramps to the roof deck. The building occupies a full city block and housed one of America's first indoor shopping malls. It

583-544: Is an important example of architecture and design of the Arts and Crafts movement . Asheville's recovery from the Depression was slow and arduous. Because of the financial stagnation, there was little new construction and much of the downtown district remained unaltered. The Montford Area Historic District and other central areas are considered historic districts and include Victorian houses. Biltmore Village , located at

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636-412: Is sporadic, averaging 10.3 inches or 0.26 metres per winter season, but actual seasonal accumulation varies considerably from one winter to the next; accumulation has ranged from trace amounts in 2011–12 to 48.2 inches or 1.2 metres in 1968–69. Freezing rain often occurs, accompanied by significant disruption. Hail is not uncommon during the spring and summer, accompanied by intense severe thunderstorms but

689-599: Is west of Hickory , northwest of Charlotte , and southwest of Winston-Salem . Asheville features a climate that borders between a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen : Cfa ) and an oceanic climate ( Trewartha : Do ) with noticeably cooler temperatures than the rest of the Piedmont region of the Southeast due to the higher elevation; it is part of USDA Hardiness zone 7a. The area's summers in particular, though warm, are not as hot as summers in cities farther east in

742-584: The Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC Combined Statistical Area , which includes Buncombe , Haywood , Henderson , Madison , and Transylvania counties, which had a combined population of 513,720 in 2023, as estimated by the United States Census Bureau . Asheville first appeared in the 1800 U S. Census with "Ashville" as the spelling. Only 38 inhabitants were recorded. Asheville did not appear again until

795-603: The Basilica of St. Lawrence . There are several historical churches located throughout the city, including the First Baptist Church of Asheville . Swannanoa River The estate encompasses numerous ancient Native American sites, including an earthwork platform mound , now known as Biltmore Mound , that is located south of the Swannanoa River. Based on evidence from excavations conducted there in

848-549: The European Colonists , the land where Asheville now exists lay within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation, which had homelands in modern western North and South Carolina , southeastern Tennessee , and northeastern Georgia . A town at the site of the river confluence was recorded as Guaxule by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto during his 1540 expedition through this area. His expedition comprised

901-538: The French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, it is the most populous city in Western North Carolina , and the state's 11th-most-populous city . According to the 2020 census , the city's population was 94,589, up from 83,393 in the 2010 census . It is the principal city in the three-county Asheville metropolitan area , which had an estimated population of 417,202 in 2023. Before the arrival of

954-549: The 1800s, James McDowell established land for burial of slaves belonging to his and the Smith families in Asheville. His son William Wallace McDowell continued this practice, setting aside about two acres of land for this purpose. On the eve of the Civil War, James W. Patton, son of an Irish immigrant, was the largest enslaver in the county, and had built a luxurious mansion, known as The Henrietta, in Asheville. Buncombe County had

1007-598: The 1850 U.S. Census with "Ashville" once again as the spelling. The population recorded was 502. Asheville did not report separately in 1860. Asheville is the larger principal city of the Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC Combined Statistical Area that includes the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Madison counties) and the Brevard, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area (Transylvania County), which had

1060-607: The 1980s, economic growth in Asheville was slow. During this time of financial stagnation, most of the buildings in the downtown district remained unaltered. As a result, Asheville has one of the most impressive, comprehensive collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States. In 1959, the City Council purchased property partially located in neighboring Henderson County for the development of Asheville Regional Airport . The North Carolina General Assembly passed

1113-546: The Buncombe Turnpike. The Union force had been ordered to take Asheville only if they could accomplish it without significant losses. An engagement was fought later that month at Swannanoa Gap, as part of the larger Stoneman's Raid throughout western North Carolina, Virginia , and Tennessee. Union forces retreated in the face of resistance from Brig. Gen. James Green Martin , commander of Confederate troops in western North Carolina. Later, Union forces returned to

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1166-538: The Cherokee Native Americans as a separate nation. Buncombe County was officially formed in 1792. In the 1800 US Census, some 107 settlers in the county were enslavers, owning a total of 300 slaves. Total county population was 5,812. The county seat, named "Morristown" in 1793, was established on a plateau where two Indian trails crossed. In 1797, Morristown was incorporated and renamed "Asheville" after North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe . In

1219-529: The age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.5% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.81. Age distribution was 19.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

1272-610: The area largely isolated from the outside. Asheville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 45.86 square miles (118.8 km ), of which 45.47 square miles (117.8 km ) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km ) (0.85%) is water. Asheville

1325-773: The area of Asheville in 1784, after the United States gained independence in the American Revolutionary War. In that year, Colonel Samuel Davidson and his family settled in the Swannanoa Valley , redeeming a soldier's land grant from the state of North Carolina made in lieu of pay. Soon after building a log cabin at the bank of Christian Creek, Davidson was lured into the woods and killed by a band of Cherokee hunters resisting white encroachment. Davidson's wife, child, and female slave fled on foot overnight to Davidson's Fort (named after Davidson's father General John Davidson) 16 miles away. In response to

1378-470: The area via Howard's Gap and Henderson County . In late April 1865, North Carolina Union troops from the 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry , under the overall command of Union Gen. George Stoneman , captured Asheville. After a negotiated departure, the 2,700 troops left town, accompanied by "hundreds of freed slaves". Later, the federal troops returned and plundered Asheville, burning a number of Confederate supporters' homes in Asheville. George Avery

1431-490: The city's "historic role in slavery, discrimination and denial of basic liberties". The resolution was unanimously passed, and Asheville committed to "make investments in areas where Black residents face disparities". Also in 2020, efforts were made to remove or change several monuments in the city that celebrated the Confederate States of America or slave owners . In June 2021, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer

1484-460: The confluence Untokiasdiyi , meaning "where they race." They used it as a meeting place and area of competitive ritual games. Under pressure from European-American settlers, the Cherokee ceded their land here in 1819. This site near the Swannanoa River was later abandoned and became overgrown. At one time there was plowing in the area, reducing the height of the mound, but it is distinguished by

1537-506: The damage was difficult to gauge in the immediate aftermath due to loss of critical infrastructure, including electrical, cellular telephone, and other communications services. Early reports indicated hundreds of downed trees, damaged homes, and blocked local roads. The municipal water system was catastrophically damaged, leaving most of Asheville without running water. Buildings and bridges were washed away and landslides cut off access to several major interstates including I-40 and I-26, leaving

1590-563: The downtown area, such as the Battery Park Hotel, the original of which was 475 feet long with numerous dormers and chimneys; the Neo-Gothic Jackson Building, the first skyscraper on Pack Square; Grove Arcade , one of America's first indoor shopping malls; and the Basilica of St. Lawrence . The S&W Cafeteria Building is also a fine example of Art Deco architecture in Asheville. The Grove Park Inn

1643-588: The early 21st century, the mound was started by indigenous people between 400 and 550CE, with the second to last stage of the mound built about 580-600CE. It was built over a Connestee Phase habitation (built during the Pisgah phase ) in the Middle Woodland period. The historic Cherokee people occupied this area, which is part of their traditional homeland in this region. The mound has been identified as an area of feasting. The Cherokee called this site near

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1696-417: The entrance to the famous estate, showcases unique architectural features. It was here that workers stayed during the construction of George Vanderbilt's estate. The YMI Cultural Center , founded in 1892 by George Vanderbilt in the heart of downtown, is one of the nation's oldest African-American cultural centers. Asheville is the largest city in the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area , as well as

1749-457: The first European visitors, who carried endemic Eurasian infectious diseases that killed much of the native population. The Cherokee had traditionally used the area by the confluence for open hunting and meeting grounds. They called it Untokiasdiyi or Tokiyasdi (ᏙᎩᏯᏍᏗ in Cherokee), meaning "Where they race", until the middle of the 19th century. European Americans began to settle in

1802-420: The first electric street railway lines in the state of North Carolina, the first of which opened in 1889. These were replaced by buses in 1934. In 1900, Asheville was the third-largest city in the state, behind Wilmington and Charlotte . Asheville prospered in the decades of the 1910s and 1920s. During these years, Rutherford P. Hayes , son of President Rutherford B. Hayes , bought land, and worked with

1855-404: The killing, Davidson's twin brother Major William Davidson and brother-in-law Colonel Daniel Smith formed an expedition to retrieve Samuel Davidson's body and avenge his murder. Months after the expedition, Major Davidson and other members of his extended family returned to the area and settled at the mouth of Bee Tree Creek. The U.S. Census of 1790 counted 1,000 residents of the area, excluding

1908-615: The largest number of prominent enslavers in Western North Carolina , many in the professional class based in Asheville, numbering a total of 293 countywide in 1863. Asheville, with a population of about 2,500 by 1861, remained relatively untouched by battles of the Civil War . The city contributed companies to the Confederate States Army and to the Union Army . For a time, an Enfield rifle manufacturing facility

1961-788: The last burial was conducted, it held remains of an estimated 2,000 people. On October 3, 1880, the Western North Carolina Railroad completed its line from Salisbury to Asheville, the first rail line to reach the city. Almost immediately it was sold and resold to the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company , becoming part of the Southern Railway in 1894. With the completion of the first railway, Asheville developed with steady growth as industrial plants increased in number and size, and new residents built homes. Textile mills were built to process cotton from

2014-581: The last occurrences being January 7, 2014 and July 1, 2012 , respectively. The average window for freezing temperatures is October 17 to April 18, allowing a growing season of 181 days. Asheville is located in the Appalachian temperate rainforest and precipitation is relatively well spread, though the summer months are slightly wetter, and averages 49.6 in (1,260 mm) annually, but has historically ranged from 22.79 in (579 mm) in 1925 to 79.48 in (2,019 mm) in 2018. Snowfall

2067-433: The next five years, the building would be restored, then reopened to the public in 2002. Today, it has shops and restaurants on the first floor, offices on the second, and residential apartments on the third through fifth floors, referred to as The Residences at Grove Arcade. E.W. Grove , developer of Grove Park Inn , wanted a "classy look to a modern palace of commercialism." The north side has winged lions without claws,

2120-508: The number of days with thunderstorms varies dramatically from year to year ranging from as few as 15 days in 2008 to as many as 44 in 2018. The month that usually experiences the most thunderstorms in Asheville is in July but number of days with thunderstorms in July has ranged from as many as 18 days in 2016 to as few as two days in 2008. Notable architecture in Asheville includes its Art Deco Asheville City Hall , and other unique buildings in

2173-601: The prominent African-American businessman Edward W. Pearson Sr. to develop his land for residential housing known as the African-American Burton Street Community. Hayes also worked to establish a sanitary district in West Asheville, which became an incorporated town in 1913, and merged with Asheville in 1917. The Asheville Masonic Temple was constructed in 1913, under the direction of famed architect Richard Sharp Smith ,

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2226-480: The region, and other plants were set up to manufacture wood and mica products, foodstuffs, and other commodities. The 21-mile (34 km) distance between Hendersonville and Asheville of the former Asheville and Spartanburg Railroad was completed in 1886. By that point, the line was operated as part of the Richmond and Danville Railroad until 1894 and controlled by the Southern Railway afterward. Asheville had

2279-628: The remnants of Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Ivan caused the Swannanoa to flood , causing major damage to the Biltmore Village section of Asheville, and to the other communities that it flows through. In September of 2024, the river overflowed into Asheville resulting in devastating floods due to Hurricane Helene . (Not necessarily in order.) This article about a location in Buncombe County , North Carolina

2332-461: The state, as the July daily average temperature is 73.8 °F (23.2 °C) and there is an average of only 9.4 afternoons with 90 °F (32.2 °C)+ highs annually; the last time a calendar year passed without a single 90 °F (32.2 °C) reading was as recently as 2009. Moreover, warm mornings where the low remains at or above 70 °F or 21.1 °C are much less common than 90 °F or 32.2 °C afternoons. Winters are cool, with

2385-495: Was 1,683.4 inhabitants per square mile (650.0/km ). There were 33,567 housing units at an average density of 820.3 per square mile (316.7/km ). The racial composition of the city was: 77.95% White , 17.61% Black or African American, 3.76% Hispanic or Latino American , 0.92% Asian American, 0.35% Native American, 0.06% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander , 1.53% some other race , and 1.58% two or more races . There were 30,690 households, of which 22.2% had children under

2438-481: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males. The median household income was $ 32,772, and the median family income was $ 44,029. Males had a median income of $ 30,463, and $ 23,488 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 20,024. About 13% of families and 19% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over. There are

2491-410: Was among 40 enslaved people known to have traveled with the troops to Tennessee. There he enlisted in the U.S. Colored Troops . He returned to Asheville after being discharged in 1866. After the war, he was hired by his former master William W. McDowell to manage the South Asheville Cemetery, a public place for black burials. This is the oldest and largest black public cemetery in the state. By 1943, when

2544-429: Was later developed as an independent jurisdiction known as Biltmore Forest , which is now one of the wealthiest in the country. The Great Depression hit Asheville quite hard. On November 20, 1930, eight local banks failed. Only Wachovia remained open with infusions of cash from Winston-Salem . Because of the explosive growth of the previous decades, the per capita debt owed by the city (through municipal bonds )

2597-509: Was located in the town. The war did not reach Asheville until early April 1865, when the "Battle of Asheville" was fought at the present-day site of the University of North Carolina at Asheville . Union forces withdrew to Tennessee , which they had occupied since 1862. They had encountered resistance in Asheville from a small group of Confederate senior and junior reserves, and recuperating Confederate soldiers in prepared trench lines across

2650-409: Was one of 11 U.S. mayors to form Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity (MORE), a coalition of municipal leaders dedicated to starting pilot reparations programs in their cities. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic, record-breaking flooding of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, devastating Asheville and surrounding areas of Western North Carolina . The full extent of

2703-821: Was sold to the federal government in 1943. The building housed the National Climatic Data Center until 1995. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In 1997, the City of Asheville acquired the title to the building under the National Monument Act. The city then signed a 198-year lease with the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation, a group founded to preserve the building's structural and historical integrity. Over

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2756-403: Was the highest in the nation. By 1929, both the city and Buncombe County had incurred over $ 56 million in bonded debt to pay for a wide range of municipal and infrastructure improvements, including City Hall, the water system, Beaucatcher Tunnel, and Asheville High School . Rather than default, the city paid those debts over a period of fifty years. From the start of the depression through

2809-597: Was transported to Asheville from Murphy, North Carolina , for arraignment in federal court. In September 2004, remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan caused major flooding in Asheville, particularly at Biltmore Village . In 2006, the Asheville Zombie Walk was organized for the first time, starting a tradition that lasted until 2016. In July 2020, the Asheville City Council voted to provide reparations to Black residents for

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