History of Asheville, North Carolina in Timeline
Asheville, located in North Carolina, US, is the largest city in Western North Carolina and the 11th largest in the state. Situated at the meeting point of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, it serves as the county seat of Buncombe County. The city's population grew from 83,393 in 2010 to 94,589 in 2020. It's the central hub of the Asheville metropolitan area, encompassing three counties, with an estimated 2023 population of 417,202.
1900: Asheville's Population Rank
Asheville held the position of the third-largest city in North Carolina in 1900, following Wilmington and Charlotte.
1905: Asheville Train Station Built
Asheville's train station, a significant transportation hub, was constructed in 1905.
1910: Death of O. Henry
American short story writer O. Henry died in 1910. Both he and Thomas Wolfe are laid to rest in Asheville's Riverside Cemetery.
1913: Asheville Masonic Temple Construction
The construction of the Asheville Masonic Temple, designed by renowned architect and Freemason Richard Sharp Smith, was completed in 1913.
1913: West Asheville Incorporation
West Asheville, initially established as a sanitary district, became an incorporated town in 1913.
1916: Severe Flooding
On July 15-16, 1916, the remnants of a tropical storm caused significant flooding in Asheville, resulting in over $3 million in damages, impacting areas including the Biltmore Estate.
1917: West Asheville Merges with Asheville
The town of West Asheville merged with the city of Asheville in 1917.
1925: Lowest Recorded Annual Precipitation
In 1925, Asheville experienced its lowest recorded annual precipitation at 22.79 inches (579 mm).
1928: First "Folk Festival"
The "Mountain Dance & Folk Festival," initiated in 1928 by Bascom Lamar Lunsford, is recognized as the first event to be labeled a "folk festival."
1929: Bonded Debt
By 1929, Asheville and Buncombe County had accumulated over $56 million in bonded debt due to investments in various municipal and infrastructure projects.
1929: Publication of "Look Homeward, Angel"
Thomas Wolfe's debut novel "Look Homeward, Angel", published in 1929, drew heavily from Asheville for its setting and characters. The city is depicted as Altamont in the novel, and the protagonist shares similarities with Wolfe himself.
November 20, 1930: Bank Failures
The Great Depression led to the failure of eight local banks in Asheville on November 20, 1930, leaving only Wachovia operational with financial support from Winston-Salem.
1934: End of Electric Street Railway
Asheville's electric street railway lines, the first in North Carolina, were replaced by buses in 1934.
1935: Lee H Edwards High School Established
Asheville High School, known as Lee H Edwards High School from 1935 to 1969, was established in 1935.
1938: Death of Thomas Wolfe
In 1938, author Thomas Wolfe, known for his depictions of Asheville in his works, passed away.
1943: South Asheville Cemetery Final Burial
The last burial took place in 1943 at the South Asheville Cemetery, the state's oldest and largest Black public cemetery, with an estimated 2,000 interments.
1946: Asheville Community Theatre Founded
The Asheville Community Theatre was founded in 1946, marking a significant milestone in the city's theatrical history. The theatre's first amateur production was the Appalachian drama "Dark of the Moon."
1959: Asheville Regional Airport Land Purchase
The Asheville City Council purchased land in 1959, partly situated in Henderson County, to develop the Asheville Regional Airport.
1959: Skyland Special Service Ends
The Southern Railway's Skyland Special, a passenger train service connecting Asheville, Columbia, and Jacksonville, ceased operations in 1959.
1967: Death of Carl Sandburg
Chicago poet Carl Sandburg, who had connections to Asheville, died in his Flat Rock home in 1967.
December 5, 1968: Last Passenger Train
The final passenger train, a coach-only segment of the Southern Railway's Carolina Special, made its last stop in Asheville on December 5, 1968.
1968: Record Snowfall Accumulation
During the winter season of 1968-1969, Asheville received a record snowfall accumulation of 48.2 inches (1.2 meters).
1968: Passenger Service Shifts to Biltmore Station
Passenger train service in Asheville shifted from the city's station to the nearby Biltmore station in 1968, leading to the closure and subsequent demolition of the Asheville station.
1969: Lee H Edwards High School Renamed
Lee H Edwards High School in Asheville was renamed Asheville High School in 1969.
1970: Asheville Special Service to New York and Washington Ends
The portion of the Southern Railway's Asheville Special service that ran between New York, Washington, and Asheville ended in 1970.
1975: Asheville Special Service Ends
The Southern Railway's Asheville Special, which provided passenger service between Asheville and Salisbury, was discontinued in 1975, marking the end of passenger rail service in the city.
August 21, 1983: Record High Temperature
The highest official temperature ever documented in Asheville was 100°F (37.8°C) on August 21, 1983.
January 21, 1985: Record Low Temperature
Asheville's official record low temperature of -16°F (-26.7°C) was recorded on January 21, 1985.
1994: Asheville Police Department Receives Accreditation
The Asheville Police Department (APD) achieved accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in 1994, marking a significant step in professional recognition for the department.
2000: Preservation Efforts for South Asheville Cemetery
Efforts to preserve the South Asheville Cemetery in the Kenilworth neighborhood began in the late 20th century. The cemetery is home to around 2,000 burials dating back to the early 1800s.
2000: Bush Wins Buncombe County
George W. Bush won Buncombe County by a significant margin of 11 points in the 2000 presidential election.
2000: Census Data and Racial Composition
The 2000 census reported a population of 68,889 people in Asheville, with 30,690 households and 16,726 families. The racial composition was predominantly White (77.95%), followed by Black or African American (17.61%), and Hispanic or Latino American (3.76%).
2003: Interstate 26 Extension Completed
A significant transportation milestone was reached in 2003 with the completion of a nine-mile extension of Interstate 26 from Mars Hill to Johnson City, Tennessee. This marked the culmination of a seven-year, $1.4 billion construction project, which was part of a larger, two-decade-long endeavor to build the interstate through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
2003: Eric Robert Rudolph Arraignment
Eric Robert Rudolph, responsible for the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, was brought to Asheville from Murphy, North Carolina, in 2003 for his federal court arraignment.
September 2004: Hurricanes Frances and Ivan Flooding
The remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan caused substantial flooding in Asheville in September 2004, significantly impacting Biltmore Village.
2005: Asheville Mayor Signs Climate Protection Agreement
In 2005, Mayor Charles Worley demonstrated Asheville's commitment to environmental sustainability by signing the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
August 2006: Asheville Named Top Whitewater City
In August 2006, Asheville was recognized as a premier whitewater destination when the American Whitewater journal listed it as one of the top five whitewater cities in the United States.
2006: Blue Ridge Rollergirls Established
Asheville's first women's flat-track roller derby team, the Blue Ridge Rollergirls, was established in 2006.
2006: City Council Creates Sustainability Committee
Furthering its commitment to environmental stewardship, the Asheville City Council established the Sustainable Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment in 2006.
2006: First Asheville Zombie Walk
The inaugural Asheville Zombie Walk took place in 2006, marking the beginning of an annual event that continued until 2016.
November 2007: Voters Reject Partisan Elections
In November 2007, voters in Asheville rejected a proposal by the City Council to return to partisan elections, opting to maintain the non-partisan system.
2007: Asheville Sets Ambitious Environmental Goals
The Asheville City Council made significant strides in environmental policy in 2007, committing to construct all municipal buildings to LEED Gold Standards and achieve an 80% reduction in energy consumption from 2001 levels by 2040.
2007: Smashing Pumpkins Residency
The rock band Smashing Pumpkins held a residency at the Orange Peel music establishment in Asheville in 2007, drawing national attention to the city's music scene.
2008: Release of "Anywhere, U.S.A." and Sundance Film Festival Recognition
The locally produced film "Anywhere, U.S.A." premiered in 2008 and earned the Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence at the Sundance Film Festival that same year.
2008: Lowest Number of Thunderstorm Days
The year 2008 saw the fewest thunderstorm days in Asheville, with only 15 days experiencing thunderstorms.
2009: Cecil Bothwell's Election Challenged
Following Cecil Bothwell's election to the Asheville City Council in 2009, a group of citizens questioned its legitimacy. Citing the Constitution of North Carolina, which, at the time, did not permit atheists to hold office, the group challenged Bothwell's victory.
2009: Carbon Footprint Reduction Initiatives
In 2009, Asheville implemented several measures to reduce its carbon footprint, including installing over 3,000 LED street lights, managing its water system under ISO 14001 standards, and switching many employees to a 4-day work week.
2009: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
In 2009, Asheville released its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, which included information on the city's largest employers.
2009: Asheville Lyric Opera Tenth Anniversary
The Asheville Lyric Opera celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2009 with a special concert featuring renowned opera singers Angela Brown, David Malis, and Tonio Di Paolo, all veterans of the Metropolitan Opera.
2009: Beastie Boys Performance
The Beastie Boys performed in Asheville in 2009, further highlighting the city's growing reputation as a music destination.
2009: Last Year Without a 90°F Temperature
The year 2009 marked the last time a calendar year passed without Asheville experiencing a single day with a high temperature of 90°F (32.2°C) or above.
2009: Asheville in Literature
The year 2009 saw Asheville featured in several literary works. Barbara Kingsolver's novel "The Lacuna" includes a character residing in the city, while William R. Forstchen, a local resident, used Asheville as a setting for his novel "One Second After".
April 2010: Obama Visits Asheville
President Barack Obama and his family chose Asheville as their vacation destination in April 2010.
2010: 2010 Census
Asheville's population was recorded as 83,393 in the 2010 census.
2011: Trace Amounts of Snow
Asheville recorded trace amounts of snowfall during the winter season of 2011-2012.
July 1, 2012: Last Occurrence of 95°F
On July 1, 2012, Asheville experienced its most recent occurrence of a 95°F (35°C) temperature.
2012: Duke University Study on Toxin Levels
A 2012 Duke University study revealed high levels of arsenic and other toxins in North Carolina lakes and rivers downstream from coal ash ponds at power plants near Asheville.
2012: Zero Waste AVL Initiative Launched
Asheville launched the Zero Waste AVL initiative in 2012, providing residents with "Big Blue" rolling carts for unsorted waste and promoting recycling efforts. In the first year, the program successfully diverted 6.30% of waste from landfills for recycling.
2012: Obama Wins Buncombe County
Barack Obama secured a victory in Buncombe County during the 2012 presidential election, garnering 55% of the vote.
2012: Filming of "The Hunger Games"
Parts of the popular dystopian film "The Hunger Games" were shot near Asheville in 2012.
March 2013: State of North Carolina Sues Duke Energy Progress
The State of North Carolina filed a lawsuit against Duke Energy Progress in March 2013 to address environmental compliance issues related to coal ash.
May 2013: 20th Annual Twin Rivers Media Festival
The Twin Rivers Media Festival, an independent multi-media film festival, held its 20th annual event in downtown Asheville in May 2013.
July 2013: Proposed Settlement and Coal Ash Threat
In July 2013, Duke Energy Corp. and North Carolina environmental regulators proposed a settlement in the lawsuit, acknowledging that coal ash posed a threat to Asheville's water supply.
2013: Cecil Bothwell Re-elected
Cecil Bothwell, after serving his first term on the Asheville City Council, was re-elected in 2013.
January 7, 2014: Last Occurrence of 0°F
January 7, 2014, marked the last time Asheville's temperature dropped to 0°F (-17.8°C).
2016: Clinton Wins Buncombe County
Hillary Clinton carried Buncombe County in the 2016 presidential election, securing 54% of the vote to Donald Trump's 40%, according to data from the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
2016: High Number of July Thunderstorms
July 2016 witnessed a significant number of thunderstorms in Asheville, with a total of 18 days experiencing thunderstorms.
2016: Last Asheville Zombie Walk
The Asheville Zombie Walk, which started in 2006, concluded in 2016.
2017: Bothwell Defeated in Primary
Cecil Bothwell's bid for a third term on the Asheville City Council ended in 2017 when he was defeated in the primary election.
2017: Filming of "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
The 2017 film "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" was shot near Asheville, prompting the North Carolina tourism board to create a guide for visitors interested in the filming locations.
2018: Highest Recorded Annual Precipitation
Asheville experienced its highest recorded annual precipitation in 2018, reaching 79.48 inches (2,019 mm).
2018: High Number of Thunderstorm Days
In 2018, Asheville experienced a high number of thunderstorms, with a total of 44 days experiencing thunderstorms throughout the year.
July 14, 2020: Asheville City Council Approves Reparations
The Asheville City Council unanimously voted to approve reparations for Black citizens on July 14, 2020, in response to the 2020 George Floyd protests. The resolution aimed at addressing historical injustices by increasing investment in Black communities.
July 2020: Reparations for Black Residents
In July 2020, the Asheville City Council unanimously voted to provide reparations to Black residents to address the city's past involvement in slavery and discrimination.
2020: City Population and Household Data
According to the 2020 census, Asheville had a population of 94,589 people residing in 40,340 households, forming 18,902 families.
2020: Biden Wins Buncombe County
Joe Biden won a decisive victory in Buncombe County during the 2020 presidential election, capturing 59.74% of the vote compared to Donald Trump's 38.63%.
2020: 2020 Census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 94,589 for Asheville, an increase from the 2010 census.
2020: Combined Statistical Area Population
The 2020 census reported a combined population of 469,015 for the Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC Combined Statistical Area.
2020: Asheville Receives Grant for Public Transit
The city of Asheville received a $1 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration in 2020 to improve its public transportation system, primarily the ART bus system.
May 2021: Vance Monument Removed
Following the 2020 George Floyd protests, the controversial Vance Monument in Asheville was removed in May 2021 after a period of debate and calls for its removal.
June 2021: Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity (MORE)
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer joined ten other U.S. mayors in June 2021 to establish Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity (MORE), aiming to implement pilot reparations programs in their respective cities.
2022: Asheville Restaurants Receive James Beard Awards
In 2022, two Asheville restaurants were recognized by the James Beard Foundation. Chai Pani received the award for Outstanding Restaurant, and Cúrate received the award for Outstanding Hospitality.
2023: Population Estimate
In 2023, the estimated population for the three-county Asheville metropolitan area was 417,202.
2023: Combined Statistical Area Population Estimate
The United States Census Bureau estimated a combined population of 513,720 for the Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC Combined Statistical Area in 2023.
2024: WLOS Transmitter Relocates to Mount Pisgah
WLOS Channel 13, the primary television station in Asheville, will relocate its transmitter to Mount Pisgah in 2024.
2030: Carbon Footprint Reduction Goal
The Asheville City Council set a goal to reduce the city's overall carbon footprint by 80% by 2030, aiming for an annual reduction of 4% or more.
