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1785 - Asheville, North Carolina founded

wikipedia.org

1854 - Asheville
Asheville, a flourishingpost-village, capital of Buncombe county, North Carolina, is situated on the Buncombe turnpike, 1 1/ 2 miles E. from the French Broad river, and 255 miles W. from Raleigh. It is on the route of the Western turnpike, which is now in process of construction, from the S. W. extremity of the state to Salisbury. It contains a bank, an academy, 2 newspaper offices, and several churches. Population, about 1000. The site of Asheville is ascertained to be 2200 feet above the level of the sea.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1886 - December 4-6 - A great snowstorm hit the southern Appalachian Mountains. The three day storm 33 inches at Asheville NC.

The Weather Channel

1888 - An epidemic of meningitis was on the 20th depopulating Asheville, N. C., at the rate of a dozen deaths a day,
all attempts to check it proving futile. Many inhabitants were leaving town.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 28, 1888

1888 - George H. Vanderbilt, of New York, purchased one thousand acres of mountain lands near Asheville, N.C.,
where it was said on the 2d he would build a large industrial institute for the free education of poor white children, who would be taught how to work in wood and metals and thus become skilled mechanics.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 10, 1888

1895 - Asheville / Ashville
Asheville, or Ashville, ash'vil, a flourishing city and railroad centre, capital of Buncombe co., N.C., near French Broad River, and among the mountains of the Blue Ridge, about 210 miles (direct) W. of Raleigh. It has 16 churches, 4 banks, a female college, a boys' high school, and manufactures of cotton, shoes, ice, tobacco, flour, &c. Two daily and 2 weekly newspapers are published here. Pop, in 1880, 2016; in 1890, 10,235.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1895 - December 24 - George Washington Vanderbilt II officially opens his "Biltmore House" estate, inviting his family to celebrate his new home in Asheville, North Carolina.

wikipedia.org
December 24, 1895

1909 - GUESTS FLED SCANTILY CLAD; FIRE BREAKS OUT IN THE FASHIONABLE KENILWORTH INN NEAR ASHEVILLE, N.C.
SEVENTY-FIVE GUESTS ALL ESCAPED.

MOST OF THEM LEFT BEHIND THEIR CLOTHES AND VALUABLES - MEN WORE PAJAMAS AND OVERCOATS WHILE SOME OF THE WOMEN GRABBED BALL DRESSES AND OTHERS LITTLE OR NOTHING - THOSE WHO WENT BACK IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE PERSONAL PROPERTY HAD NARROW ESCAPES - LOSS ON HOTEL $140,000.

Asheville, N. C., April 14. - Roused from their slumber after 2 o'clock this morning by an alarm of fire, seventy-five guests of the fashionable Kenilworth Inn, three miles from this city, barely had time to don some scanty articles of clothing and make their escape from the burning building. The hotel was completely destroyed, the total loss being estimated at $250,000. The insurance is placed at $75,000.

The fire started in the north end of the building over the boiler room. A strong wind was blowing from the southwest and the flames were fanned to the other end of the frame structure where the majority of the guests were asleep.

There was a wild scramble for the exits but... Read MORE...

1916
Asheville, or Asnville, a city, capital of Buncombe co., N.C., situated at the junction of the Swananoa and the French Broad River, and among the mountains of the Blue Ridge, about 210 miles (direct) W. of Raleigh. It is on the Southern R., 2350 feet above the sea. It has banks, manufactures of cotton, tobacco, leather, etc, and various normal and collegiate institutions. Asheville is a favored summer- and winter-resort, in a region considered very beneficial for pulmonary and related diseases, and is annually visited by many thousands of persons. The surroundings are notably picturesque, and in the neighborhood are the famous forest-park and chateau of Biltmore, probably the finest private estate in America. Average winter temperature, 39° ; summer, 72° ; spring, 53°. Pop. in 1900, 14,694.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1917 - SCHOOL FIRE.
Asheville, N. C. - Five children are dead, three missing and eight are seriously injured as the result of a fire today which started in the furnace room and destroyed the Catholic Hill school for colored children.
Waterloo Times Tribune
Iowa
November 17, 1917

1936 - THREE KILLED IN FIREWORKS BLAST. OTHERS BELIEVED DEAD AS CHARCOAL FIRE CAUSES EXPLOSION.
Asheville, N.C., Dec. 25. - An explosion in a downtown fireworks store tonight killed at least three persons and injured an undetermined number.

An hour after the explosion firemen, backing their way through the wreckage, had brought out three bodies, and expressed fear several others had been killed.

At that time the firemen had not penetrated to the basement of the building, which caved in.

It was said a number of persons were in the store.

Christmas is observed throughout this region with fireworks displays.
Automobiles parked on both sides of the street were damaged by flame and heat. One vehicle directly in front of the building was demolished.

Bud Shaney, professional baseball pitcher, said the fire probably was caused by an open charcoal pot around which employes were gathered. Shaney said six to ten persons were in the store when he left. The explosion occurred when he was about 25 feet from the entrance, he said.

LAWRENCE STEPP, 15, who was in the store at... Read MORE...

1938 - ASHEVILLE BLAST IS FATAL TO FIVE IN STONE QUARRY.
Asheville, Sept. 1 - (AP) - A terrific dynamite explosion that killed five men at a stone quarry here puzzled officials today.
The men,
WILLIAM BIZZELL, white.
HARLEY WEBB, white.
WILL HENRY, negro.
WESLEY MOORE, negro.
GUS DAVIS, negro.
They were perched on a perpendicular 200-foot cliff yesterday when 50 pounds of dynamite exploded and mangled the men beyond recognition.
W. H. Bizzell, father of WILLIAM BIZZELL and a quarry foreman, said the blast could have been caused by one of three things. A spark, he said, could have reached the naked powder, the rock holes into which the powder was poured could have been very hot, or the stone could have contracted to the 40 pound pressure necessary to set off the powder.
BIZZELL said that he just had left the point where the men were pouring dynamite into holes when the blast sounded.
Daily Times-News
Burlington, North Carolina
September 1, 1938

2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Asheville:
Biltmore Estate: Start your trip with a visit to the Biltmore Estate, America's largest home. Explore the historic mansion, beautifully landscaped gardens, and even enjoy wine tastings at the Biltmore Winery.

Blue Ridge Parkway: Drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, often called "America's Favorite Drive." It offers breathtaking mountain views, numerous hiking trails, and opportunities for picnicking and photography.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Take a day trip to this nearby national park, where you can hike, bike, and explore diverse wildlife and plant species. Clingmans Dome, the park's highest peak, offers panoramic views.

Downtown Asheville: Stroll through the heart of the city, where you'll find unique boutiques, art galleries, street performers, and a vibrant food scene. Be sure to visit Pack Square and Vance Monument.

Grove Park Inn: Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn. It's renowned for its stunning mountain views and the... Read MORE...

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