The French Broad River played a major role in this region’s early development. Initially called the “Broad River” by eighteenth-century French hunters and traders, it was later named the French Broad River. With headwaters on Pisgah . . . — — Map (db m58937) HM
Walk or bike down to the Lagoon via Deer Park Trail. This trail takes its name from the 250-acre area on the south and west sides of Biltmore House. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed this park to provide pastoral views for George . . . — — Map (db m209744) HM
George Vanderbilt selected Frederick Law Olmsted, the founding father of American landscape architecture , to design the gardens and grounds of his estate. Perhaps best known as the designer of Central Park in New York City, Olmsted envisioned . . . — — Map (db m209821) HM
Welcoming more than 1 million guests each year, Biltmore is one of the most popular historic sites in the country. Its centerpiece is America's largest privately owned home — 250-room Biltmore House, completed in 1895. Biltmore's founder, George . . . — — Map (db m209731) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m209743) HM
Also referred to as the Ramble by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, this space features meandering paths similar to his design for New York's Central Park. The Shrub Garden beautifully illustrates Olmsted's ability to design for both form . . . — — Map (db m209745) HM
Frederick Law Olmsted designed this terraced garden to mirror the formality of the French Renaissance-style house-a departure from his signature style of highly naturalistic landscape design seen in Central Park. From the Italian Garden down to the . . . — — Map (db m209742) HM
The Italian Garden next to Biltmore House was created by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to offer a spot for outdoor activities such as croquet and enjoying magnificent reflections of America's Largest Home. Originally referred to as the . . . — — Map (db m209741) HM
Ashe Metamorphic Suite
Neoproterozoic - Cambrian
1,000 to 488 million years old
Bakersville, Mitchell County
Thanks to Vulcan Materials Company
Spruce Pine Quarry — — Map (db m209890) HM
You Have Arrived
The Swannanoa River Valley was known as "Grey Eagle" in the time when the Cherokee and Catawba people lived here. By the late 1800s, surveyors had deemed the neighboring Black Mountains range the highest in the Eastern . . . — — Map (db m209919) HM
At the height of rail travel, as many as 10 trains a day stopped at Black Mountain.
Horse-drawn buggies and, later, motor car taxis would line up to wait for disembarking passengers to take them to one of the many boarding houses, hotels, and . . . — — Map (db m179640) HM
Tectonic events beginning over 1 billion years ago influenced the
type and structure of rock that formed, guiding where mountains,
valleys, streams, and rivers developed. Take a look at the first rock in
our garden, which was mined right here in . . . — — Map (db m209886) HM
"My father lived and breathed Southern Railways. He would take us to the Black Mountain Train Depot and the Swannanoa Tunnel to watch the trains go by. I remember him saying, "I've walked track through these tunnels many a day."
Leslie Allen . . . — — Map (db m176984) HM
Earlier Gap Biotite Gneiss
Mesoproterozoic
1 to 1.6 billion years old
Asheville, Buncombe County
Thanks to Hedrick Industries
North Buncombe Quarry — — Map (db m209887) HM
This community was incorporated n March 4, 1893 as the town of Black Mountain with its limits measuring one mile from this point. In 1993, the town's Centennial Commission dedicated this monument to the following first century families.
Marcus . . . — — Map (db m209915) HM
Across the street from the depot, passengers could grab a last-minute souvenir or soda at the local drug store, dine at the New York Café, or rent a room above the Star Café, which advertised, "Locks on All Doors."
Train travel was the primary . . . — — Map (db m176971) HM
Ashe Metamorphic Suite
Neoproterozoic - Cambrian
1,000 to 488 million years old
Black Mountain, Buncombe County
Thanks to Hedrick Industries
Grove Stone & Sand — — Map (db m209889) HM
Henderson Gneiss
Cambrian
542 to 488 million years old
Henderson, Henderson County
Thanks to Vulcan Materials Company
Hendersonville Quarry — — Map (db m209891) HM
Spruce Pine Pegamatitic
Devonian
416 to 359 million years old
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County
Thanks to The Quartz Corp
Spruce Pine, NC — — Map (db m209893) HM
Builder who developed tile construction method widely used in vaults & domes. Designed vaulted ceilings at Biltmore in 1894. Lived 1 mile SE. — — Map (db m203542) HM
Black Mountain's original depot was rebuilt in 1898 and rebuilt again, for the final time in 1909.
This depot still stands here today and conformed to plans from the Southern Railway's Washington office, which mandated two waiting rooms, one . . . — — Map (db m176985) HM
In an effort to save money, the track to Black Mountain was laid by convicts leased from the state. It cost 30 cents per day to house an inmate, whereas a free laborer made about $1.00 a day.
More than 500 convicts at a time, primarily . . . — — Map (db m179638) HM
Prior to the coming of the railroad, Black Mountain was known as Grey Eagle, and its development centered around the stagecoach route through the valley (now State Street).
Once the railroad established a station in 1880 at this location, the . . . — — Map (db m179639) HM
Celebrating 25 Years of Service to the Community April 27, 1976 to April 27, 2001
Dedicated to the efforts of the original members of the Old Depot Association who were instrumental in saving The Old Depot from destruction. — — Map (db m176977) HM
Connecting Black Mountain to the growing network of railways across the nation proved to be a nearly impossible task.
Stalled by the Civil War, embezzlement, and -finally- by the extremely steep grade between Old Fort, at the foot of the Blue . . . — — Map (db m179637) HM
Here on land granted him in 1787.
He erected the first house of white
settlers west of the Blue Ridge.
Capt. Moore and his troops camped near
here when on the Rutherford Expedition
against the Cherokee in 1776.
Erected by Unaka . . . — — Map (db m56431) HM
Captain of militia force which marched against the Cherokee in Nov., 1776. A fort which he built stood near here. His home was 200 yds. E. — — Map (db m57152) HM
(preface)
On March 24, 1865, Union Gen. George Stoneman led 6,000 cavalrymen from Tennessee into southwestern Virginia and western North Carolina to disrupt the Confederate supply line by destroying sections of the Virginia and Tennessee . . . — — Map (db m209727) HM
Established in 1834 to serve travelers crossing Hickory Nut Gap. In continuous service until 1909. House stands 300 yards south. — — Map (db m209726) HM
Woolly Adelgid Devastation The hemlock woolly adelgid is an invasive aphid-like species which was accidentally imported to Virginia on nursery stock around 1951. Adelgids insert long sucking mouthparts into the base of needles and . . . — — Map (db m237796) HM
The original dam on this lake, built in 1910, was made of wood. A gift in 1924 from Allen Graham of Greenville, South Carolina, and his mother Mrs. C. E. “Susan” Graham, was used to build the first stone and concrete dam. Mrs. Graham, her . . . — — Map (db m237198) HM
In the late 1800s, John Collins, a Congregational minister from Connecticut, and other Christian lay leaders came to this cove. Their desire was to "establish and maintain a municipality containing assembly grounds for the encouragement of Christian . . . — — Map (db m209897) HM
Southern troops turned back Stoneman's U.S. cavalry, raiding through western North Carolina, at Swannanoa Gap, near here, April 20, 1865. — — Map (db m55830) HM
Used by Indians and pioneers in crossing Blue Ridge. General Rutherford's expedition against Cherokee passed here, September, 1776. — — Map (db m57036) HM
Stoneman's Raid
On March 24, 1865, Union Gen. George Stoneman led 6,000 cavalrymen from Tennessee into southwestern Virginia and western North Carolina to disrupt the Confederate supply line by destroying sections of the Virginia and Tennessee . . . — — Map (db m55971) HM
Longest (1,800 ft.) of 7 on railroad between Old Fort and Asheville. Constructed by convict labor, 1877-79. West entrance 300 yds. S.E. — — Map (db m56855) HM
Here were born two notable Buncombe County brothers, Zebulon Baird Vance (1830-1894) and Robert Brank Vance (1828-1899).
Zebulon Vance was a Whig and supporter of the Union who opposed secession until the last moment. At the outbreak of war in . . . — — Map (db m225431) HM
People have built vacation homes in the Southern Appalachians for centuries. The beautiful scenery, cool mountain breezes, and abundant wildlife make these mountains a favorite summer destination. Rattlesnake Lodge served as one of these early . . . — — Map (db m140151) HM
Founded as Weaverville College, 1873; Methodist, coeducational. In 1934 merged with Rutherford to form Brevard College. Campus was one block W. — — Map (db m55842) HM
The west Asheville & Sulphur springs electric railway ran from the springs to Government Street, at what is now Pritchard Park
Fare 5¢ — — Map (db m17055) HM
