Asheville, NC: The Gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains

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Plan Your Perfect Trip to Asheville

Scenic drives along Blue Ridge Parkway, trendy art galleries, craft breweries, and world-class dining — Asheville has it all. From awe-inspiring nature to a thriving arts and entertainment scene, Asheville offers an experience for every kind of explorer.

Asheville has plenty to do, see and eat!

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The History of Asheville

Before European settlement, Asheville was part of the Cherokee Nation. Bearing the name Untokiasdiyi, meaning “Where they race,” the Cherokee people used the area as a gathering place.

Settlement didn’t occur until after the Revolutionary War, in 1784, when Colonel Samuel Davidson and his family arrived, claiming land through a soldier’s grant. The settlement, initially named “Morristown,” was later renamed Asheville in honor of North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe.

Asheville became an important outpost in the Blue Ridge Mountains, attracting famous travelers like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. The city flourished during the railway boom into the 1920s but faced a significant setback during the stock market crash of 1929. However, thanks to a committed urban renewal plan and efforts to maintain the city’s charm, Asheville transformed into the vibrant culture hub it is today.