Attractions Archives - Relax Asheville

Western North Carolina Nature Center

Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum

Land Rover Experience Biltmore

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.

Western North Carolina Nature Center

Breakout Games

Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum

Woolworth Walk

Asheville Visitor Center

Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary

River Arts District

Land Rover Experience Biltmore

Asheville Museum of History

Asheville Iron Sculpture

The History of Asheville

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