Asheville, North Carolina
Downtown Asheville
Flag
Location in North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°34′48″N 82°33′21″W / 35.58, -82.55583
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Buncombe
Incorporated	1797
Government
- Mayor	Terry Bellamy
Area
- Total	41. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of countries, arranged alphabetically The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States The US State of North Carolina is divided into 100 counties. North Carolina ranks 28th in size by area but has Buncombe County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina. A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including (but not necessarily limited to cities, counties, Towns Year 1797 ( MDCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Terry M Bellamy is the current Mayor of Asheville North Carolina. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 3 sq mi (107. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 0 km²)
- Land	40. To help compare different Orders of magnitude and geographical regions we list here areas between 100 km² and 1000 km² 9 sq mi (106. 0 km²)
- Water	0. 4 sq mi (1. 0 km²)  0. 94%
Elevation	2,134 ft (650 m)
Population (2006)[1]
- Total	72,789
- Density	1,704. The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 6/sq mi (657. 94/km²)
	US Census Bureau estimate
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s)	828
FIPS code	37-02140[2]
GNIS feature ID	1018864[3]
Website: www.ashevillenc.gov

Asheville City Hall. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America UTC−5 is the Time offset used in the North American Eastern Time Zone during Standard time and in the North American Central Time Zone during Daylight saving time ( DST The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America UTC−4 is the Time offset used in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone in Canada in winter and the North American Eastern Time Zone during A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks In the North American Numbering Plan, Area Code 828 is the telephone Area code for the western mountain regions of the U Federal Information Processing Standards ( FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the United States Federal government for use by all non-military The Geographic Names Information System ( GNIS) is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout This building epitomizes the Art Deco style of the 1920s. Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial The 1920s is sometimes referred to as the " Jazz Age " or the " Roaring Twenties " when speaking about the United States and Canada

The Biltmore House on Biltmore Estate, which is the largest house in America, with more than 250 rooms, was built as a private residence complete with indoor pool and bowling alley. Biltmore House is a French Renaissance inspired chateau near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt between 1888 and 1895 A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is an artificially enclosed Body of water intended for Swimming or Bowling is a Game / Sport in which players attempt to score points by rolling a Bowling ball along a flat surface either into objects called pins Modern guests, who also come to see the adjacent gardens, enjoy a similar view to this 1902 photo.

Asheville is a city in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and is its county seat. A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Buncombe County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States A county seat is a term for an Administrative center for a County, primarily used in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 68,889. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population It is the largest city in western North Carolina, and continues to grow. As of 2006, the Census Bureau estimates that Asheville's population is 72,789 ^[1]. Asheville is a part of the four-county Asheville metropolitan statistical area, the population of which was estimated by the Census Bureau in 2006 to be 398,009. The Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in western North Carolina

History

Before the arrival of Europeans, the land where Asheville now exists lay within the boundaries of Cherokee country. The Cherokee (ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ a-ni-yv-wi-ya, in the Cherokee language) are a people native to North America, who at the time of European contact ^[4] In 1540, Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto came to the area, bringing the first European visitors^[5] in addition to European diseases which seriously depleted the native population. Hernando de Soto ( Jerez de los Caballeros, Badajoz, Spain, c ^[6] As the Cherokee were eventually dominated by European settlers, the area was used as an open hunting ground until the middle of the 19th century. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar ^[7]

The history of Asheville, as a town, begins in 1784. Year 1784 ( MDCCLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year In that year Colonel Samuel Davidson and his family settled in the Swannanoa Valley, redeeming a soldier's land grant from the state of North Carolina. The Swannanoa River flows through the Swannanoa Valley of western North Carolina, and is a major Tributary to the French Broad River. A land grant is a gift of Real estate - land or privileges - made by a government or other authority as a Reward for services Soon after building a log cabin at the bank of Christian Creek, Davidson was lured into the woods by a band of Cherokee hunters and killed. Davidson's wife, child and female slave fled on foot to Davidson's Fort (named after Davidson's father General John Davidson) 16 miles away. Old Fort may refer to Old Fort Delhi Old Fort Durban Old Fort North Carolina Old Fort

In response to the killing, Davidson's twin brother Major William Davidson and brother-in-law Colonel Daniel Smith formed an expedition to retrieve Samuel Davidson's body and avenge his murder. Months after the expedition, Major Davidson and other members of his extended family returned to the area and settled at the mouth of Bee Tree Creek.

The United States Census of 1790 counted 1,000 residents of the area, excluding the Cherokee. The United States Census is a decennial Census mandated by the United States Constitution. Year 1790 ( MDCCXC) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The county of Buncombe was officially formed in 1792. Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The county seat, named “Morristown” in 1793, was established on a plateau where two old Indian trails crossed. Year 1793 ( MDCCXCIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common In 1797 Morristown was incorporated and renamed “Asheville” after North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe. ^[8][9]

The Civil War

Asheville, with a population of approximately 2,500 by 1861, remained relatively untouched by the Civil War, but contributed a number of companies to the Confederate States Army, and a substantially smaller number of soldiers to the Union. For a time an Enfield rifle manufacturing facility was located in the town. The war came to Asheville almost as an afterthought, when the "Battle of Asheville" was fought in early April 1865 at the present-day site of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, with Union forces withdrawing to Tennessee after encountering resistance from a small group of Confederate senior and junior reserves and recuperating Confederate soldiers in prepared trench lines across the Buncombe Turnpike; orders had been given to the Union force to take Asheville only if this could be accomplished without significant losses. The University of North Carolina Asheville is a co-educational four year public Liberal arts university Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States.

An engagement was also fought later that month at Swannanoa Gap as part of the larger Stoneman's Raid, with Union forces retreating in the face of resistance from Brig. Gen. Martin, commander of Confederate troops in Western North Carolina, but returning to the area via Howard's Gap and Henderson County. In late April 1865 troops under the overall command of Union Gen. Stoneman captured Asheville. After a negotiated departure, the troops nevertheless subsequently returned and plundered and burned a number of Confederate supporters' homes in the town. The years following the War were a time of economic and social hardship in Buncombe County, as throughout most of the defeated South.

1900s to present

While Asheville prospered in the 1910s and 1920s, the Great Depression hit Asheville quite hard. Most of Asheville's banks closed. The 'per capita' debt held by the city (through municipal bonds) was the highest of any city in the nation. Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' Debt is that which is owed usually referencing Assets owed but the term can cover other obligations In the United States, a municipal bond (or muni) is a bond issued by a city or other local government or their agencies Rather than default, the city paid those debts over a period of 50 years. From the start of the Depression through the 1980s, economic growth in Asheville was slow. During this time of financial stagnation, most of the buildings in the downtown district remained unaltered. This resulted in one of the most impressive, comprehensive collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States. Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial The term architecture (from Greek αρχιτεκτονικήarchitektoniki) can be used to mean a process a profession or documentation The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[10][11]

The Asheville area was subject to severe flooding from the remnants of a tropical storm on July 15-16, 1916, causing over $3 million in damage. Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Ivan caused major flooding in Asheville in September 2004, particularly at Biltmore Village. Hurricane Frances was the sixth named storm, the fourth hurricane, and the third major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Ivan was the strongest hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Biltmore Village is a small village that is now entirely in the city limits of Asheville North Carolina.

In 2003, Centennial Olympic Park bomber Eric Robert Rudolph was transported to Asheville from Murphy, North Carolina for arraignment in federal court. The Centennial Olympic Park bombing was a terrorist Bombing on July 27, 1996 in Atlanta Georgia during the 1996 Summer Eric Robert Rudolph (born September 19, 1966) also known as the Olympic Park Bomber, is an American radical described by the FBI as a Terrorist Murphy is a town in Cherokee County, North Carolina, United States. Arraignment is a Common law term for the formal reading of a criminal Complaint, in the presence of the Defendant, to inform him/her of the charges

Asheville has adopted at least two nicknames over its history:

• The Land of the Sky, based on a book of the same name written by Frances Fisher Tieran (nom de plume Christian Reid). The Land of the Sky or adventures in mountain by-ways is a novel by Mrs A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a Pseudonym adopted by an Author or their publishers to conceal their identity
• The Paris of the South (also used by New Orleans, Louisiana and Charleston, South Carolina). New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Charleston is a city in Charleston county in the US state of South Carolina. South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America.

General information

Asheville pops up on national rankings for a variety of things: Modern Maturity named it one of "The 50 Most Alive Places To Be,"^[12] AmericanStyle magazine called it one of "America's Top 25 Arts Destinations,"^[13] Self magazine labeled it the "Happiest City for Women,"^[14] it is one of AARP Magazine's "Best Places to Reinvent Your Life,"^[15] and was proclaimed the "New Freak Capital of the U. AARP The Magazine is a Bi-monthly Magazine published by AARP, which focuses on aging issues AARP The Magazine is a Bi-monthly Magazine published by AARP, which focuses on aging issues In contemporary usage the word freak is usually used to refer to a person with something unusual about their appearance or behaviour S. " by Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published Asheville has also been called "a New Age Mecca" by CBS News' Eye On America,^[16] and named the "most vegetarian-friendly" small city in America by PETA. New Age ( New Age Movement and New Age Spirituality) is a Social Collective Phenomenon and a Spiritual Nature CBS News is the news division of American Television and Radio network CBS. Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes Meat (including game and slaughter by-products Fish (including Shellfish and other sea ^[17] In the 2008 book The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner, Asheville was cited by the author to be the "happiest place in the United States. The Geography of Bliss One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World is the New York Times bestselling humorous travel memoir by longtime National Public "

In 2007, Asheville was named one of the top seven places to live in the U. S. by Frommer's Cities Ranked and Rated, #23 of 200 metro areas for business and careers by Forbes, and the best place to live in the country by Relocate-America. Forbes is an American Publishing and media company Its flagship publication Forbes magazine is published bi-weekly It was also named one of the world's top 12 must-see destinations for 2007 by Frommer's travel guides. Frommer's is a Travel guidebook series and one of the bestselling travel guides in America

Asheville and the surrounding mountains are also popular in the autumn when fall foliage peaks in October. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway runs through the Asheville area and near the Biltmore Estate. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty Biltmore House is a French Renaissance inspired chateau near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt between 1888 and 1895

Downtown Asheville is a major attraction for tourists in the area

Mayor Terry Bellamy (the city's first African-American female mayor) is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition^[18], a bi-partisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets. Terry M Bellamy is the current Mayor of Asheville North Carolina. The Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition is a coalition of Mayors from 225 different United States cities, with a stated goal of "making the public safer In a Two-party system (such as in the United States) bipartisan refers to any bill, act, resolution, or any other action of a " The Coalition is co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Thomas Michael Menino (born December 27, 1942) is the mayor of Boston Massachusetts, United States and the city's first The City of New York Michael Rubens Bloomberg (born February 14, 1942) is an American businessman and the Mayor of New York City. In 2005, Asheville signed the U. S. Conference of Mayors Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and in 2007 signed an agreement with Warren Wilson College stating the intent of the city and college to work together toward climate partnership goals. Warren Wilson College is a small Liberal arts college in Swannanoa, North Carolina just east of Asheville, near U

Transportation

Asheville is served by Asheville Regional Airport in nearby Fletcher, North Carolina, and by Interstate 40, Interstate 240, and Interstate 26. Asheville Regional Airport is a Class C Airport near Interstate 40 and Interstate 26 in the town of Fletcher, nine miles (14 Fletcher is a town in Henderson and Buncombe Counties North Carolina, United States. Interstate 40 (I-40 is a major west-east Interstate highway in the United States Interstate 240 (abbreviated I-240) is a long interstate highway loop in the U Interstate 26 (I-26 is a nominally east-west (but physically more north-south main route of the Interstate Highway System in the Southeastern United States. A milestone was achieved in 2003 when Interstate 26 was extended from Mars Hill (north of Asheville) to Johnson City, Tennessee completing a 20-year half-billion dollar construction project through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mars Hill is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington Counties in the U Work continues to improve Interstate 26 from Mars Hill to Interstate 40 by improving U.S. Route 19 and U.S. Route 23 and the western part of Interstate 240. US Route 19 is a north-south US Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways the route has remained a long-haul route connecting Lake Erie with US Route 23 is a long north-south US highway between Jacksonville Florida, and Mackinaw City Michigan. This construction will include a multi-million dollar bridge to cross the French Broad River and is not slated to start until after 2008. The French Broad River flows from near Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, into Tennessee. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[19]

The city operates the Asheville Transit System, which consists of several bus lines connecting parts of the city and surrounding areas.

The Norfolk Southern Railroad passes through the city, though passenger service is currently not available in the area. This article is about the present railroad formed in 1990 For the former regional railroad in Virginia and North Carolina a small part of the new one see Norfolk Southern

Geography

Asheville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River. The Blue Ridge, or Blue Ridge Mountains, is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division Confluence, in Geography, describes the meeting of two or more Bodies of water. The Swannanoa River flows through the Swannanoa Valley of western North Carolina, and is a major Tributary to the French Broad River. The French Broad River flows from near Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, into Tennessee. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 41. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census 3 square miles (107. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 0 km²), of which, 40. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 9 square miles (106. 0 km²) of it is land and 0. 4 square miles (1. 0 km²) of it is water. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. The total area is 0. 94% water.

Climate

Asheville's weather resembles the weather of the rest of the southeastern U.S., but with somewhat cooler temperatures due to the higher altitude. The US Southeast is the eastern portion of the Southern United States, but the Census Bureau does not provide a standard definition of a "Southeast" region The highest recorded temperature in Asheville was 100°F (37°C) in 1983^[20], and the lowest recorded temperature was -16°F (-27°C) in 1985 ^[21]. In winter, low temperatures regularly fall below freezing, and Asheville almost always receives snow and freezing rain a few times each year. Freezing rain is a type of precipitation that begins as Snow at higher altitude falling from a Cloud towards earth melts completely on its way down while passing

Neighborhoods

• North - includes the neighborhoods of Albemarle Park, Beaverdam, Beaver Lake, Chestnut Hills, Grove Park, Kimberly, Montford, Norwood Park, and Reynolds Mountain. The Montford Area Historic District, Chestnut Hill Historic District, and Grove Park Historic District are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Montford Area Historic District is a mainly residential neighborhood in Asheville, North Carolina that is included in the National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of Montford and Albemarle Park have been named local historic districts by the Asheville City Council.
• East - includes the neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, Chunn's Cove, Haw Creek, Oakley, Oteen, Reynolds, and Town Mountain.
• West - includes the neighborhoods of Bear Creek, Deaverview Park, Emma, Hi-Alta Park, Lucerne Park, Malvern Hills, Sulphur Springs, and West Asheville.
• South - includes the neighborhoods of Ballantree, Biltmore Village, Biltmore Park, Kenilworth, Royal Pines, Shiloh, and Skyland. Biltmore Village is a small village that is now entirely in the city limits of Asheville North Carolina. Biltmore Village has been named a local historic district by the Asheville City Council. Biltmore Village is a small village that is now entirely in the city limits of Asheville North Carolina.

Architecture

Biltmore Estate today

The city is known for the lavish Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in America, which attracts over a million visitors each year. Biltmore House is a French Renaissance inspired chateau near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt between 1888 and 1895 Other notable architecture in Asheville includes its Art Deco city hall and other unique buildings in the downtown area such as the Battery Park Hotel, the Neo-Gothic Jackson Building, Grove Arcade and the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial The Grove Park Inn is an important example of architecture and design of the Arts and Crafts movement. The Grove Park Inn is a historic resort hotel on the western-facing slope of Sunset Mountain within the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Asheville North Carolina The Arts and Crafts Movement was a British, Canadian, and American Aesthetic movement occurring in the last years of the 19th century and the The Montford neighborhood and other central areas are considered historic districts and include Victorian houses. On the other hand, Biltmore Village, located at the entrance to the famous estate, showcases unique architectural features that are only found in the Asheville area. Biltmore Village is a small village that is now entirely in the city limits of Asheville North Carolina. It was here that workers stayed during the construction of George Vanderbilt's estate. Today, however, as with many of Asheville's historical districts, it has been transformed into a district home to quaint, trendy shops and interesting boutiques. The YMI Cultural Center, founded in 1892 by George Vanderbilt in the heart of downtown, is one of the nation's oldest African-American cultural centers. ^[23][24]

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 68,889 people, 30,690 households, and 16,726 families residing in the city. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population The population density was 1,683. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 4 people per square mile (650. 0/km²). There were 33,567 housing units at an average density of 820. 3/sq mi (316. 7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77. 95% European American, 17. 61% African American, 0. 35% Native American, 0. 92% Asian, 0. 06% Pacific Islander, 1. 53% from other races, and 1. 58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3. 76% of the population.

There were 30,690 households out of which 22. 2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38. 1% were married couples living together, 13. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** 0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45. 5% were non-families. 36. 8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13. 8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2. 14 and the average family size was 2. 81.

In the city the population was spread out with 19. 6% under the age of 18, 10. 3% from 18 to 24, 28. 7% from 25 to 44, 23. 1% from 45 to 64, and 18. 3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87. 8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83. 9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,772, and the median income for a family was $44,029. Males had a median income of $30,463 versus $23,488 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,024. Per capita income means how much each individual receives in monetary terms of the yearly income generated in the country About 10. 3% of families and 15. 5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20. The poverty threshold, or poverty line, is the minimum level of Income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate Standard of living in a given country 9% of those under age 18 and 10. 1% of those age 65 or over.

Metropolitan area

Asheville is the largest city located within the Asheville MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area). The Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in western North Carolina The MSA includes Buncombe County; Haywood County; Henderson County; and Madison County; with a combined population - as of the 2006 Census Bureau population estimate - of 398,009. Buncombe County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina. Haywood County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina. Henderson County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina. Madison County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina.

Apart from Asheville, the MSA includes Hendersonville and Waynesville, along with a number of smaller incorporated towns: Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Canton, Clyde, Flat Rock, Fletcher, Hot Springs, Laurel Park, Maggie Valley, Mars Hill, Marshall, Mills River, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin. Hendersonville is a city in Henderson County, North Carolina, USA, 22 miles (35 km southeast of Asheville. Waynesville is an incorporated Town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States of America Biltmore Forest is an affluent town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Black Mountain is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Canton is the second largest town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. Clyde is a town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. Flat Rock is a village in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. Fletcher is a town in Henderson and Buncombe Counties North Carolina, United States. Hot Springs is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. Laurel Park is a town in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. Maggie Valley is a town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. Mars Hill is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. Marshall is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. Mills River is a Town located in Henderson County, North Carolina ( USA) Montreat is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Weaverville is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Woodfin is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States.

Several sizable unincorporated rural and suburban communities are also located nearby: Arden, Barnardsville (incorporated until 1970), Bent Creek, Candler, Enka, Fairview, Jupiter (incorporated until 1970), Leicester, Oteen, Skyland, and Swannanoa. Arden is an unincorporated area located in southern Buncombe County, North Carolina, in the United States. Barnardsville is an unincorporated community that was small town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, USA, near Asheville until its disincorporation Bent Creek North Carolina may refer to Bent Creek Buncombe County North Carolina Bent Creek Yancey County North Carolina Candler is an unincorporated community in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Enka is an unincorporated community in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Fairview is a Census-designated place (CDP in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Jupiter North Carolina is an unincorporated settlement in northwestern Buncombe County North Carolina off of U Leicester is an Unincorporated community in Buncombe County, North Carolina ( USA) although it has begun a process towards incorporation Skyland is an unincorporated community in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Swannanoa is a Census-designated place (CDP in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States.

Asheville is also part of the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson-Asheville Designated Market Area (DMA), a grouping corresponding to TV and radio markets. A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area, DMA or simply market is a region where the Population

Education

Asheville High School Main Entrance

Public Asheville City Schools include Asheville High School, Asheville Middle School, Claxton Elementary, Hall Fletcher Elementary, Isaac Dickson Elementary, Jones Elementary, and Vance Elementary. Asheville City Schools is the name of the government body which oversees all public schools in Asheville North Carolina. Asheville High School (formerly Lee H Edwards High School in Asheville, North Carolina, United States, is the only secondary school in the Asheville Asheville High has been ranked by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top 100 high schools in the United States. Newsweek is an American weekly Newsmagazine published in New York City. The Buncombe County School System operates high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools both inside and outside the city of Asheville.

Asheville has one of the only Sudbury schools in the southeast. Katuah Sudbury School is part of the worldwide, American model of progressive, democratic, student-led schooling. It is also home to several charter schools, including Francine Delany New School for Children, one of the first charter schools in North Carolina. Charter schools are elementary or secondary schools in the United States that receive public money but

Two private residential high schools are located in the Asheville area: the all-male Christ School (located in Arden) and the coeducational Asheville School. Arden is an unincorporated area located in southern Buncombe County, North Carolina, in the United States. Asheville School is a small private boarding school in Asheville North Carolina. Each offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and enrolls boarding students from around the world in addition to local day students. Several other private schools, including Rainbow Mountain Children's School, Asheville Christian Academy, Hanger Hall School for Girls, The New Classical Academy and Carolina Day School, enroll local day students. Carolina Day School is a private school located in Asheville, North Carolina. In addition, New City Christian School is a private school whose stated mission is to educate low-income students.

Asheville and its surrounding area is home to several institutions of higher education:

• Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (Asheville, NC)
• Black Mountain College (Black Mountain, NC: 1933-1957)
• Brevard College (Brevard, NC)
• Mars Hill College (Mars Hill, NC)
• Montreat College (Montreat, NC)
• South College (Asheville, NC)
• University of North Carolina at Asheville (Asheville, NC)
• Warren Wilson College (Swannanoa, NC)
• Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, NC)

Public services & utilities

Water

Drinking water in Asheville is presently (2008) provided by the Asheville water department. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is a public two-year Community college established in 1959 in Asheville, North Carolina. Black Mountain College, founded in 1933 near Asheville North Carolina, was known as one of the leading progressive schools in the United States History Founded in 1934 from the merger of Rutherford College and Weaver College Brevard flourished as a junior college for many years Mars Hill College is a private Coed, Liberal-arts college affiliated with the North Carolina Baptist Convention Montreat College is a private four year liberal arts Christian college located in Montreat North Carolina. The University of North Carolina Asheville is a co-educational four year public Liberal arts university Warren Wilson College is a small Liberal arts college in Swannanoa, North Carolina just east of Asheville, near U Western Carolina University (WCU is a Coeducational Public university located in Cullowhee North Carolina. Until recently the direction of the water agency was shared between Buncombe County and the City of Asheville. The two governments are presently seeking agreement on water that could restore the previous intergovermental agency. The public drinking water supply in most areas of Asheville is presently fluoridated by the addition of hydrofluorosilic acid, at a rate of 0. 9 to 1. 1 parts per million

Sewer

Sewer services are provided by the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County.

Electricity

Power is provided by Progress Energy Inc. Progress Energy Inc ( is an energy company based in Raleigh North Carolina, formed in 2000 from the merger of Carolina Power & Light and Florida

Natural Gas

Natural gas is provided by PSNC Energy.

Local culture

Music

Live music is a significant element in the tourism-based economy of Asheville and the surrounding area. Seasonal festivals and numerous nightclubs offer opportunities for visitors and locals to attend a wide variety of live entertainment events. ^[25] Asheville is host to numerous clubs and performance venues. In particular, Asheville has a very strong street performer ("busking") community. Outdoor festivals, such as Bele Chere and the Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival, feature local music. A festival is an event usually and ordinarily staged by a local community which centers on some unique aspect of that community Bele Chere is an annual music and arts Street festival held in downtown Asheville North Carolina. One of the most popular annual events is "Shindig on the Green," which happens Saturday nights during July and August on City/County Plaza. By tradition, the Shindig starts "along about sundown" and features local bluegrass bands and dance teams on stage, and informal jam sessions under the trees surrounding the County Courthouse.

DJ music, as well as a small, but active, dance community are also components of the downtown musical landscape. A disc jockey (also known as DJ or deejay) is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience The town is also home to the Asheville Symphony and the Asheville Lyric Opera and there are a number of bluegrass, country, and traditional mountain musicians in the Asheville area. A residency at local music establishment the Orange Peel by Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 brought national attention to Asheville. The Smashing Pumpkins are an American Alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988 ^[26]

Sports

Current Teams

Previous Teams

Other Sports

Area colleges and universities, such as the University of North Carolina at Asheville, compete in sports. The Asheville Tourists are a Minor league baseball team in Asheville North Carolina, USA. Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each The South Atlantic League or "Sally League" is a Minor league baseball League which operates mostly in the Southeastern United States, McCormick Field is a Baseball park and home of the minor league Asheville Tourists. American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with The North American Soccer League is sometimes mistakenly called the North American Football League NAFL redirects here for the Northern Irish soccer league The Asheville Smoke were a professional Ice hockey team in the United Hockey League. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. The International Hockey League is a mid-level Professional Ice hockey league with teams in the United States. The Asheville Civic Center is a 7654-seat multi-purpose Arena in Asheville North Carolina. The Asheville Aces were a Southern Professional Hockey League ( SPHL) team in Asheville North Carolina. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL is a low-level professional Ice hockey league with teams located in the southeastern United States. The Asheville Civic Center is a 7654-seat multi-purpose Arena in Asheville North Carolina. The Tulsa 66ers are an NBA Development League team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the minor league affliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m The NBA Development League, or D-League, is the National Basketball Association 's officially sponsored and operated developmental Basketball organization The Asheville Civic Center is a 7654-seat multi-purpose Arena in Asheville North Carolina. The University of North Carolina Asheville is a co-educational four year public Liberal arts university UNCA's sports teams are known as the Bulldogs and play in the Big South Conference. The Big South Conference is a College athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA ’s Division I. The Fighting Owls of Warren Wilson College participate in mountain biking and ultimate sports teams. Warren Wilson College is a small Liberal arts college in Swannanoa, North Carolina just east of Asheville, near U Ultimate (often called Ultimate Frisbee in reference to the trademarked brand name) is a non-contact Team sport played with a 175 gram Flying The College is also home of the Hooter Dome, where the Owls play their home basketball games.

Recreational Sports

Asheville is a major hub of whitewater recreation, particularly whitewater kayaking, in the eastern US. Many kayak manufacturers have their bases of operation in the Asheville area. ^[27] Some of the most distinguished whitewater kayakers live in or around Asheville. ^[28] In its July/August 2006 journal, the group American Whitewater named Asheville one of the top five US whitewater cities. ^[29]

Performing Arts

Asheville has long held a tradition of live theatre, dance, and opera. The Asheville Community Theatre was founded in 1946, producing the first amateur production of the Appalachian drama, Dark of the Moon. Dark of the Moon is a dramatic stage play in the vein of Romeo and Juliet set in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1920s Soon after, the young actors Charlton Heston and wife Lydia Clarke would take over the small theatre. Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4 1923 &ndash April 5 2008) was an American Actor of Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4 1923 &ndash April 5 2008) was an American Actor of The Mainstage Auditorium in the current home of the theatre is named for the couple, the Heston Auditorium.

The North Carolina Stage Company is currently the only resident professional theatre in the downtown area. Although there are several independent professional companies, none of them have a permanent venue.

The Diana Wortham Theatre is a neoclassical theatre. It serves as the home to, among other companies, the Asheville Lyric Opera, and the Terpsicorps dance company.

In 2004, the Asheville Arts Center opened. It is a theatre, dance, and music studio designed for arts education. The Grand Hall of the Arts Center also is a regular venue for local bands as well as the Asheville Movement Collective.

Film & TV

Although the area has had a long history with the entertainment industry, recent developments are cementing Asheville as a potential growth area for both film and TV. The Asheville Film Festival is now in its third year, and the city is an annual participant in the 48 Hour Film Project. The 48 Hour Film Project is a contest in which teams of filmmakers are assigned a genre a character a prop and a line of dialogue and have 48 hours to create a short film containing The city's public access cable station URTV began airing programs in the spring of 2006. Films made at least partially in the area include A Breed Apart, Searching for Angela Shelton, Last of the Mohicans, Being There, My Fellow Americans, The Fugitive, All the Real Girls, Richie Rich, Hannibal, Songcatcher, Patch Adams, Nell, Forrest Gump, Mr. Destiny, Dirty Dancing, Bull Durham, The Private Eyes, The Swan, The Clearing, and 28 Days. A Breed Apart is a 1984 American Drama film directed by Philippe Mora. Angela Shelton (born December 5, 1972) is an American Screenwriter, Actress, and Documentary film producer, The Last of the Mohicans is a 1992 historical epic film set in 1757 during the French and Indian War. Being There is a 1979 film directed by Hal Ashby, adapted from the 1971 novel written by Jerzy Kosiński. My Fellow Americans is a 1996 comedy film starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner as feuding ex-presidents The Fugitive is a 1993 American film based on the TV series of the same name. All the Real Girls is a 2003 Romantic drama film written and directed by David Gordon Green. Richie Rich (sometimes stylized Ri¢hie Ri¢h) is a 1994 live-action Film adaptation of the Harvey Comics Comic book Hannibal is a 2001 Thriller film directed by Ridley Scott, adapted from the Thomas Harris novel of the same name. Songcatcher is a 2000 Drama film directed by Maggie Greenwald. Patch Adams is a 1998 Comedy-drama Film directed by Tom Shadyac and based on the true life story of Hunter "Patch" Nell is a 1994 Drama film starring Jodie Foster as a young woman who has to face other people for the first time after being raised Forrest Gump is a 1994 Comedy film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom and the name of the title character Mr Destiny is a 1990 Comedy film starring Jim Belushi. Other actors in this film included Linda Hamilton, Jon Lovitz, Dirty Dancing is a 1987 Romance film. Written by Eleanor Bergstein, the film features Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze Bull Durham is a 1988 American movie about love and Baseball. The Private Eyes (1981 is an American film starring Tim Conway and Don Knotts. The Swan is a 1956 Remake by MGM of a 1925 film (also remade in 1930 as One Romantic Night) The Clearing is a 2004 drama / Thriller film, and is a directorial debut by Pieter Jan Brugge, an Academy Award 28 Days is a 2000 Drama film starring Sandra Bullock. Sandra Bullock plays Gwen Cummings a newspaper columnist obliged to Locally produced films include: Vance, The Devil's Courthouse, Inbred Rednecks, 78, Sinkhole, The Nudger, Golden Throats of the 20th Century, Talking Tall, Ether, Brother Cellophane, House Of Poets, For Catherine, and Anywhere, USA, which was a winning film at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Golden Throats of the 20th Century is a film about the rise and fall of the world's biggest brother and sister karaoke duo in the world Mimi & Jojo Qiana The Sundance Film Festival is a Film festival that takes place annually in the state of Utah, in the United States. Forthcoming projects include as Moon Europa and Golden Blade III: Return of the Monkey's Uncle. Local film production groups include Bonesteel Films, Tabula Rasa Studios, B-clip Productions, 207 Pictures, A Viewpoint Productions, Blue Ridge Motion Pictures, Blue Volcano Productions, Ironwood Media Group, Harrow Beauty, and Buried Pictures.

Media

Asheville is in the "Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson" television DMA and the "Asheville" radio ADI for the city's AM stations and FM stations. A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area, DMA or simply market is a region where the Population ^[30][31] The Asheville Citizen-Times is Asheville's daily newspaper which covers most of Western North Carolina. The Asheville Citizen-Times is a Gannett newspaper Founded in 1870 as a weekly the Citizen-Times became a daily newspaper in 1885 The Mountain Xpress is the largest weekly in the area, covering arts and politics in the region. The Mountain Xpress is a free alternative newspaper covering news arts local politics and events in Asheville and Western North Carolina. However, there are numerous independent weekly and monthly newspapers in this vibrant politically active community. The [Asheville City Paper][12] is the progressive alternative paper, The Asheville Tribune is the conservative alt, The Asheville Daily Planet is a hybrid city/university publication, WNC Woman is self explanatory as is Out in Asheville . . . and there are several others.

The Mountain Area Information Network ^[32] (MAIN) is a unique nonprofit Internet service provider (ISP) and liberal regional news portal that includes low-power FM radio station, [WPVM]^[33] at 103. 5 FM.

The town even has a New Age talk radio program,[VIRATO LIVE!]^[34] on 880 AM The Revolution

Famous residents

Living

• John Avery (1976- ), football player in the NFL, XFL, and CFL, attended Asheville High School^[35]
• Brad Daugherty (1965- ), retired NBA basketball player and current ESPN NASCAR analyst^[36]
• Charles Frazier (1950- ), author, born in Asheville and graduated from University of North Carolina at Asheville^[37]
• Roberta Flack (1937- ), singer, born in Asheville^[38]
• Eileen Fulton (1933- ), actress, born in Asheville, has starred on the CBS soap As the World Turns since 1960^[39]
• Warren Haynes (1960- ), musician, spent his formative years in Asheville^[40]
• David Holt (1946- ), American folk musician, currently residing near Asheville^[41]
• Leonard Little (1974- ), NFL football player with the St. Louis Rams, born and raised in Asheville^[42]
• Andie MacDowell (1958- ), actress, lives in Biltmore Forest, adjacent to Asheville^[43]
• Cameron Maybin (1987- ), major league baseball player with the Florida Marlins, born and raised in Asheville^[44]
• Rashad McCants (1984-), NBA basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves and former Erwin High School basketball player^[45]
• Buzz Peterson (1963- ), director of player personnel, Charlotte Bobcats, born and raised in Asheville^[46]
• Robert Pressley (1959- ), retired NASCAR driver, born in Asheville^[47]
• Angela Shelton (1972- ), actress and producer^[48]
• Roy Williams (1950- ), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill basketball coach, raised in Asheville^[49]
• William Winkenwerder, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (2001-2007)^[50]

Deceased

• Donald V. Bennett (1915-2005), former commanding general of the US Army Pacific Command. The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001 The Canadian Football League (CFL ( Ligue canadienne de football (LCF in Asheville High School (formerly Lee H Edwards High School in Asheville, North Carolina, United States, is the only secondary school in the Asheville Bradley Lee Daugherty (born October 19 1965 in Black Mountain, North Carolina) is an American former Basketball player at the ESPN, originally an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American Cable television network dedicated to The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States. Charles Frazier (born November 4, 1950) is an award-winning American historical Novelist Frazier was born in Asheville, The University of North Carolina Asheville is a co-educational four year public Liberal arts university Roberta Flack (born February 10, 1937) is an American Singer-songwriter and Musician who is notable in the areas of Jazz Eileen Fulton (born Margaret Elizabeth McLarty on September 13 1933 in Asheville North Carolina) is an American actress As the World Turns ( ATWT) is an American television Soap opera that airs each weekday on CBS. Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American rock and blues Guitarist vocalist and songwriter of Gov't Mule David Holt is a four-time Grammy Award winner for his work as a musician Leonard Antonio Little (born October 19, 1974 in Asheville North Carolina) is an American football Defensive end for the The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The St Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St Rosalie Anderson "Andie" MacDowell (born April 21 1958 is an American model and actress Biltmore Forest is an affluent town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Cameron Keith Maybin (born April 4, 1987 in Asheville, North Carolina) is a Major League Baseball player in the Florida The Florida Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami Gardens Florida. Rashad Dion McCants (born September 25, 1984 in Asheville North Carolina, U The Minnesota Timberwolves are a professional Basketball team based in Minneapolis Minnesota, United States. Robert Bower "Buzz" Peterson Jr (born May 17, 1963) is currently an executive (Director of Player Personel with the Charlotte Bobcats The Charlotte Bobcats are a professional Basketball team based in Charlotte North Carolina. Robert Pressley (born April 8, 1959 in Asheville North Carolina) is a former NASCAR driver The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States. Angela Shelton (born December 5, 1972) is an American Screenwriter, Actress, and Documentary film producer, Roy Allen Williams (born August 1, 1950) is head coach of the men's Basketball team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ( UNC, North Carolina, or simply Carolina) is a public, Coeducational Research William Winkenwerder Jr served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in the U Donald Vivian Bennett ( May 9, 1915 - November 28, 2005) retired as a four star general from the United States Army in 1974
• F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940), author
• Zelda Fitzgerald (1900-1948), wife of F. Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (September 24 1896 – December 21 1940 was an American writer of Novels and Short stories, whose works are evocative of the Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (July 24 1900 – March 10 1948 born Zelda Sayre in Montgomery Alabama, was a novelist and the wife of writer F Scott Fitzgerald, died in a fire in an Asheville mental institution
• Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice (1924-2003), professional football player
• Robert Moog (1934-2005), pioneer of electronic music, inventor of the Moog synthesizer
• Robert Morgan (1918-2004), pilot of the "Memphis Belle," the famed WWII B-17 bomber
• George Washington Vanderbilt II (1862-1914), entrepreneur, original founder of the Biltmore Estate
• Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938), author

Points of interest

• Biltmore Estate
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Botanical Gardens at Asheville
• Grove Park Inn
• North Carolina Arboretum
• Smith-McDowell House

Sister cities

Asheville has five sister cities:^[51]

• Karpenisi (Greece)
• San Cristóbal de las Casas (Mexico)
• Saumur (France)
• Valladolid (Mexico)
• Vladikavkaz (Russia)

References

External links

• Official Asheville, NC website
• Official Buncombe County, NC website
• Asheville Travel Guide
• Asheville, North Carolina, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
• Asheville travel guide from Wikitravel
• mapAsheville, City of Asheville web-mapping and search tools

• Asheville, North Carolina is at coordinates 35°34′48″N 82°33′21″W / 35.579862, -82.55581 (Asheville, North Carolina)Coordinates: 35°34′48″N 82°33′21″W / 35.579862, -82.55581 (Asheville, North Carolina)