Downtown in Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Hotel District

(of Asheville, N.C.)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 19, 2012

1. Hotel District Marker

Inscription. An ornamental eagle perched high in front of the Eagle Hotel one block south. Irish immigrant James Patton opened the hostelry in 1814. Almost opposite the Eagle, the Swannanoa Hotel began operation in 1878, making South Main Street - now Biltmore Avenue - a nineteenth-century social center.

Erected by Asheville Urban Trail, John Clingman Young, Jr. in memory of his parents.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 35° 35.63′ N, 82° 33.075′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Biltmore Avenue (U.S. 25) and Eagle Street, on the right when traveling north on Biltmore Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Asheville NC 28801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cornerstone of Culture (here, next to this marker); Oscar Wong (within shouting distance of this marker); The YMI & William and Georgia Roland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); "The Block" (about 300 feet away); The Early Years In Asheville's Historic Central Square (about 400 feet away); Walk Into History

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 400 feet away); Crossroads of Commerce (about 400 feet away); Catholic Hill School / Stephen’s – Lee High School (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Asheville (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Hotel District. James Patton, the developer and namesake of Asheville's first east-west road through what is today downtown Asheville, established the Eagle Hotel in the early 1820s a short distance from Pack Square. The Eagle Hotel was described as Asheville's first “luxury” hotel. Originally of frame construction, Patton’s three-story Eagle Hotel was eventually enlarged by a brick addition and, thus, is often referred to as a brick hotel.
At the forefront of this building boom was the construction of the Grand Central Hotel, followed by the 1880 opening of the four-story brick Swannanoa Hotel boasting Asheville's first bathroom.

Hotel District Marker, sidewalk inlaid image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 19, 2012

2. Hotel District Marker, sidewalk inlaid

Hotel District Marker and Eagle (as mentioned) moved to this present location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 19, 2012

3. Hotel District Marker and Eagle (as mentioned) moved to this present location

Red arrow indicates Marker

Hotel District, Eagle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 19, 2012

4. Hotel District, Eagle

Hotel District Eagle as mentioned image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 19, 2012

5. Hotel District Eagle as mentioned

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,438 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 17, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.