History of Asheville, North Carolina in Timeline

Asheville, North Carolina, located in Buncombe County, is the largest city in Western North Carolina and the 11th most populous in the state. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 94,589, a notable increase from 2010. It serves as the central city within the Asheville metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 417,202 in 2023. The city sits at the meeting point of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Asheville was also home to Asheville Female College.

1900: Asheville's City Ranking

In 1900, Asheville was the third-largest city in North Carolina, ranking behind Wilmington and Charlotte.

1905: Asheville station built

The Asheville station, built in 1905, was later demolished.

1910: Death of O. Henry

Author O. Henry died in 1910 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Asheville.

1913: West Asheville Incorporated

In 1913, West Asheville became an incorporated town after Rutherford P. Hayes worked to establish a sanitary district there.

1913: Asheville Masonic Temple Constructed

In 1913, the Asheville Masonic Temple was constructed under the direction of Richard Sharp Smith.

1916: Severe Flooding in Asheville

On July 15–16, 1916, the Asheville area experienced severe flooding from a tropical storm which caused over $3 million in damage, including part of the Biltmore Estate.

1917: Merger with Asheville

In 1917, West Asheville merged with Asheville.

1925: Lowest Rainfall Year

In 1925, Asheville recorded its lowest annual precipitation with 22.79 inches.

1928: First Folk Festival

In 1928, the "Mountain Dance & Folk Festival" was started by Bascom Lamar Lunsford, and is said to be the first event ever labeled a "folk festival".

1929: City Debt

By 1929, Asheville and Buncombe County had incurred over $56 million in bonded debt for municipal and infrastructure improvements.

1929: Publication of Look Homeward, Angel

In 1929, Thomas Wolfe's debut novel, Look Homeward, Angel, was published. The novel is set in a town called Altamont, which is similar to Asheville, and the protagonist is recognizably similar to the author.

Look Homeward, Angel: A Story of the Buried Life

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November 20, 1930: Bank Failures

On November 20, 1930, eight local banks in Asheville failed during the Great Depression.

1934: Street Railway Lines Replaced

In 1934, the electric street railway lines in Asheville were replaced by buses.

1935: Lee H Edwards High School name change

Asheville High School was known as Lee H Edwards High School starting in 1935.

1938: Death of Thomas Wolfe

Author Thomas Wolfe, who wrote about Asheville, died in 1938 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery.

1943: South Asheville Cemetery

As of 1943, the South Asheville Cemetery contained around 2000 burials.

1943: Last burial at South Asheville Cemetery

By 1943, the South Asheville Cemetery, a public place for black burials, held an estimated 2,000 people when the last burial was conducted.

1946: Asheville Community Theatre founded

In 1946, the Asheville Community Theatre was founded, producing the first amateur production of the Appalachian drama Dark of the Moon.

1959: Asheville Regional Airport Development

In 1959, Asheville City Council purchased property in Henderson County for Asheville Regional Airport development.

1959: End of Skyland Special rail service

In 1959, the Southern Railway's Skyland Special (Asheville-Columbia-Jacksonville) ended service to the city.

1967: Death of Carl Sandburg

Chicago poet Carl Sandburg died in his home in Flat Rock in 1967.

December 5, 1968: Last Passenger Train

On December 5, 1968, the last passenger train served Asheville, a coach-only remnant of the Southern Railway's Carolina Special.

1968: Record Snowfall

During the winter season of 1968-69, Asheville accumulated 48.2 inches of snowfall.

1968: Passenger service moved to Biltmore station

In 1968, passenger service shifted from Asheville's station to the nearby Biltmore station.

1968: End of Carolina Special rail service

In 1968, the Southern's Carolina Special (Cincinnati-Goldsboro and Charleston branches) ended service to the city.

1969: Lee H Edwards High School name change

Asheville High School was known as Lee H Edwards High School until 1969.

1970: End of Asheville Special rail service

In 1970, the Southern Railway's Asheville Special (New York–Washington–Asheville) ended service to the city.

1975: End of Asheville Special rail service

In 1975, the Southern Railway's Asheville Special (Asheville–Salisbury) ended service to the city.

August 21, 1983: Record High Temperature

On August 21, 1983, Asheville recorded its official record high temperature of 100 °F.

January 21, 1985: Record Low Temperature

On January 21, 1985, Asheville recorded its official record low temperature of −16 °F.

1994: APD accredited by CALEA

Since 1994, the Asheville Police Department has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

2000: 2000 Census Data

In 2000, Asheville had a population of 68,889 people, 30,690 households, and 16,726 families according to the census.

2000: George W. Bush won Buncombe County

In 2000, George W. Bush won Buncombe County by 11 points.

2001: Energy reduction standard referenced

In 2007, the Council committed to achieve 80 percent energy reduction of 2001 standards by 2040.

2003: Eric Robert Rudolph Arraignment

In 2003, Centennial Olympic Park bomber Eric Robert Rudolph was transported to Asheville for arraignment in federal court.

2003: Interstate 26 extended to Johnson City

In 2003, Interstate 26 was extended nine miles from Mars Hill to Johnson City, Tennessee, completing a seven-year construction project.

2003: Inaugural Asheville Film Festival

In 2003, the Asheville Film Festival was first held.

September 2004: Hurricane Flooding

In September 2004, Asheville experienced major flooding due to the remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan.

2005: Mayor signs Climate Protection Agreement

In 2005, Mayor Charles Worley signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

August 2006: Asheville named top whitewater city

In its July/August 2006 journal, American Whitewater named Asheville one of the top five US whitewater cities.

2006: Establishment of Blue Ridge Rollergirls

In 2006, Asheville's first women's flat-track roller derby team, the Blue Ridge Rollergirls, was established.

2006: Sustainable Advisory Committee established

In 2006, the City Council created the Sustainable Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment.

November 2007: Referendum on partisan elections defeated

In November 2007, an effort by the council to return to partisan elections was defeated by voters in a referendum.

2007: Climate Partnership Agreement

Also in 2007, the Council signed an agreement with Warren Wilson College stating the intent of the city and college to work together toward climate partnership goals.

2007: The Smashing Pumpkins residency at the Orange Peel

In 2007, The Smashing Pumpkins had a residency at local music establishment the Orange Peel, bringing national attention to Asheville.

2007: Commitment to LEED Gold Standards

In 2007, the Council became the first city on the East Coast to commit to building all municipal buildings to LEED Gold Standards and to achieve 80 percent energy reduction of 2001 standards by 2040.

2008: Fewest Thunderstorm Days

In 2008, Asheville experienced only 15 days with thunderstorms.

2008: Anywhere, U.S.A. Wins Award

In 2008, the locally produced film Anywhere, U.S.A. won a Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Independence at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

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2009: Largest Employers

According to the city's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in Asheville were identified.

2009: Carbon footprint reduction measures

In 2009, Asheville reduced its carbon footprint by installing over 3,000 LED street lights, managing its water system under ISO 14001 standards, improving building infrastructure, and switching many employees to a 4-day work week to save on commuting emissions.

2009: Asheville in The Lacuna and One Second After

In 2009, Asheville was featured as the residence of Harrison Shepherd in Barbara Kingsolver's novel, The Lacuna, and as a location in William R. Forstchen's novel, One Second After.

The Lacuna: Deluxe Modern Classic

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2009: Challenge to Cecil Bothwell's election

In 2009, a group of Asheville citizens challenged the legitimacy of Cecil Bothwell's election to the City Council, citing the Constitution of North Carolina.

2009: Inaugural Asheville Jewish Film Festival

In 2009, the Asheville Jewish Film Festival began.

2009: Asheville Lyric Opera's tenth anniversary

In 2009, the Asheville Lyric Opera celebrated its tenth anniversary with a concert featuring Angela Brown, David Malis, and Tonio Di Paolo, veterans of the Metropolitan Opera.

2009: Beastie Boys residency at the Orange Peel

In 2009, the Beastie Boys had a residency at local music establishment the Orange Peel, bringing national attention to Asheville.

2009: No 90°F Days

The last time a calendar year passed without a single 90 °F reading in Asheville was as recently as 2009.

April 2010: Obama vacationed in Asheville

In April 2010, President Barack Obama and his family vacationed in Asheville.

2010: City of Asheville ceases funding Asheville Film Festival

In 2010, the City of Asheville ceased funding the Asheville Film Festival.

2011: Trace Amounts of Snowfall

During the winter season of 2011-12, Asheville experienced only trace amounts of snowfall.

2011: Asheville Film Fest relaunched as Asheville Cinema Fest

From 2011, filmmakers Sandi and Tom Anton relaunched the defunct Asheville Film Fest as Asheville Cinema Fest.

July 1, 2012: Last Occurrence of 95°F

July 1, 2012, marked the last time Asheville experienced a temperature as high as 95 °F.

2012: Zero Waste AVL initiative begins

In 2012, Asheville began the Zero Waste AVL initiative, providing each resident with a "Big Blue" rolling cart for unsorted recycling materials. In the program's first year, 6.30% of waste was diverted from landfills for recycling.

2012: Duke University Study on Arsenic Levels

In 2012, a Duke University study found high levels of arsenic and other toxins in North Carolina lakes and rivers downstream from the Asheville power plant's coal ash ponds.

2012: The Hunger Games Filmed Near Asheville

In 2012, the film The Hunger Games was filmed near Asheville.

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2012: Obama won Buncombe County

In the 2012 presidential election, Barack Obama won the entirety of Buncombe County with 55% of the vote.

March 2013: North Carolina Sues Duke Energy Progress

In March 2013, the State of North Carolina sued Duke Energy Progress for environmental compliance issues related to coal ash ponds.

July 2013: Proposed Settlement in Duke Energy Lawsuit

In July 2013, Duke Energy Corp. and North Carolina environmental regulators proposed a settlement addressing coal ash threats to Asheville's water supply, with Duke to be fined $99,100.

2013: Bothwell re-elected

Bothwell served his four-year council term and was re-elected in 2013.

January 7, 2014: Last Occurrence of 0°F

January 7, 2014, marked the last time Asheville experienced a temperature as low as 0 °F.

2014: Asheville Cinema Fest ends

In 2014, the Asheville Cinema Fest ended.

2016: A-B Tech hosts Asheville Film Festival

From 2016, A-B Tech hosted an independent Asheville Film Festival without city sponsorship.

2016: Asheville Zombie Walk

In 2016, the Asheville Zombie Walk ended.

2016: Most Thunderstorm Days in July

In July 2016, Asheville experienced as many as 18 days with thunderstorms.

2016: Clinton won Buncombe County

In the United States presidential election of 2016, Hillary Clinton won 54% of the vote in Buncombe County.

2017: Bothwell defeated in primary

Cecil Bothwell was defeated in the primary when he ran for a third term in 2017.

2017: Cat Fly Fest founded

In 2017, the Cat Fly Fest was founded in Asheville.

2017: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Filmed Near Asheville

In 2017, the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was filmed near Asheville.

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2018: A-B Tech's Asheville Film Festival ends

In 2018, A-B Tech's independent Asheville Film Festival ended.

2018: Highest Rainfall Year

In 2018, Asheville recorded its highest annual precipitation with 79.48 inches.

2018: Connect Beyond Festival launched

In 2018, the Connect Beyond Festival was launched in Asheville.

2019: Creative Industries Employment

As of 2019, 13,560 people were employed in creative industry roles in Asheville.

2019: Most Recent Asheville Jewish Film Festival

In 2019, the Asheville Jewish Film Festival was most recently held.

July 14, 2020: City Council approves reparations to Black citizens

On July 14, 2020, the Asheville City Council unanimously approved reparations to the city's Black citizens, following the 2020 George Floyd protests. The resolution called for increased investment in Black communities.

July 2020: Reparations for Black Residents

In July 2020, the Asheville City Council voted to provide reparations to Black residents.

2020: 2020 Census Data

According to the 2020 census, Asheville had a population of 94,589 people, 40,340 households, and 18,902 families.

2020: Combined Statistical Area Population

At the 2020 census, the Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC Combined Statistical Area had a combined population of 469,015.

2020: Federal grant for ART bus transit system

In 2020, Asheville received a US$1 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to be used primarily on the ART bus transit system.

2020: Impact of COVID-19 on Creative Industries

In 2020, Asheville's creative industries were significantly impacted by COVID-19.

2020: Biden won Buncombe County

In 2020, Joe Biden won 59.74% of the vote in Buncombe County.

May 2021: Removal of Vance Monument

In May 2021, the Vance Monument was removed, concluding a move that started during the 2020 George Floyd protests.

June 2021: Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity

In June 2021, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer helped form Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity (MORE).

2021: Lynching Memorials

In 2021, John Humphries, Hezekiah Rankin, and Bob Brackett, who were lynched in Asheville in the 1880s, were memorialized with historic markers.

2022: James Beard Awards

In 2022, two Asheville restaurants, Chai Pani and Cúrate, received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant and Outstanding Hospitality respectively.