Biltmore Forest in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Olmsted at Biltmore

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 27, 2022

1. Olmsted at Biltmore Marker

Inscription. To get a better use of the distant scenery from the future Biltmore House, observation towers were constructed in two locations near this spot. Today's views are the same ones that compelled George Vanderbilt to buy this land. The South Terrace was recommended by Frederick Law Olmsted as an outdoor room that would take advantage of these sweeping vistas, and it would also serve to shelter the gardens below it. Anchored by the Tea House at the corner, this terrace originally included a sunken bowling green and later an in-ground swimming pool.

Biltmore was a project that stretched Olmsted's design abilities and was unique among his body of work for its fusion of French and English (or formal and naturalistic) design influences. The scope and variety of his endeavors here were made possible through the support of George Vanderbilt, who also saw the value in his vision. Today, Biltmore works to maintain Olmsted's design intent and remains a key part of Olmsted's legacy as his last great project.

"I can only say that as the time for revision of the work [at Biltmore] draws near, and as I am drawn away from
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it and realize more and more the finality of this withdrawal, the intenser grows my urgency to be sure that what I have designed is to be realized." -Frederick Law Olmsted to Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. November 7, 1895

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.

Location. 35° 32.423′ N, 82° 33.211′ W. Marker is in Biltmore Forest, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It can be reached from Biltmore Grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Asheville NC 28803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountains and in Greater Asheville.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 27, 2022

2. Olmsted at Biltmore Marker

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Birthplace of American Forestry (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Law Olmsted (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Biltmore's Historic Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); The Italian Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Siting Biltmore House and Stables (about 400 feet away); Exploring Deer Park Trail (about 400 feet away); Biltmore Dairy Bar (about 500 feet away); Shrub Garden (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Biltmore Forest.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 237 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.