Asheville

Asheville sits where the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers meet, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains at an elevation of 650 meters (2,130 feet). The municipal area spreads through several valleys, with downtown centered around a central square and residential neighborhoods climbing the gentle slopes.

The settlement began in 1784 when Colonel Samuel Davidson built a permanent residence, initially known as Morristown. Renaming occurred in 1797 after Governor Samuel Ashe, giving the place its current name.

Downtown, many workshops sell traditional Appalachian crafts while street musicians perform on corners throughout the day. Locals gather regularly at farmers markets where regional producers sell their goods directly and often chat with visitors about the origins of their products.

The area offers breweries, restaurants, theaters, and outdoor facilities connected by walking trails and bike paths throughout the municipality. Many downtown blocks are easily explored on foot, while surrounding mountains provide day hike destinations accessible from the center.

During the Great Depression, the complete Art Deco building collection remained intact because no new construction projects took place. This unexpected preservation created a coherent streetscape from the 1920s and early 1930s that now ranks among the best preserved of its kind.

Location: Buncombe County

Inception: 1797

Elevation above the sea: 650 m

Part of: Western North Carolina

Website: https://ashevillenc.gov

GPS coordinates: 35.59556,-82.55194

Latest update: December 2, 2025 22:32