Humble Beginnings: How a Small Settlement Called Morristown Became the City of Asheville

In 1792 and 1793 Buncombe County was established and in the county seat was are we missing a word here? Sentence doesn’t read right. named Morristown. According to city documents, 5 years later in 1797 Morristown’s name was changed to Asheville, in honor of North Carolina governor Samuel Ashe. (1) According to the Western North Carolina Historical Association, "by the 1790 United States Census, there were 1,000 settlers in the region, not including the Cherokee." Since Asheville’s humble beginning as a small mountain town over 200 years ago, the city has grown into a thriving, culturally diverse metropolitan area. The Asheville Metro Business Research Center estimates that Asheville is now home to approximately 75,000 residents and the Asheville MSA population, which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties, is approximately 416,000. (2)

The Healing Power of the Asheville Mountains

Asheville, North Carolina has always been considered a place where people can recuperate and heal. According to the National Park Service web site, "As far back as 1795, records show that the Asheville area was regarded as a place to come heal oneself of ills. American Indians used the area as a neutral ground for their sick, particularly the area around Hot Springs (30 miles north of Buncombe County). The climate was regarded to be optimal--the components (temperature, barometric pressure, etc.) were actually measured by physicians who wanted to determine the best place for patients to recuperate." (3) Many of the city’s buildings and homes, especially those in the historic Montford district, began as boarding houses and sanatoriums where patients were housed as they recovered from various illnesses.

Modern Asheville continues to carry the torch of healing handed down through history. Asheville is home to Mission Health System, which includes 2 state of the art medical facilities located downtown: the Mission Hospital Campus and St. Joseph Campus. Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Mitchell County and the McDowell Hospital in Marion are also part of the Mission Health System. (4) Asheville also has a strong, well-recognized alternative health and preventative medicine community. Visitors and residents can enjoy the services of massage therapists, spa professionals, acupuncturists, Chinese medicine doctors, naturopathic physicians, herbalists and other holistic practitioners.

The Arts Community in Western North Carolina

Many well-known American musicians, writers, photographers, artists and performers have made Asheville their home over the years. Roberta Flack was born in Asheville in 1937 and F. Scott Fitzgerald frequently stayed in the area with his wife Zelda. Zelda died in a hospital fire in the Montford neighborhood. Musician Warren Haynes, actress Andie McDowell and music icon Robert Moog have all made Asheville their home in recent years. In the heart of downtown residents and tourists alike can enjoy a wide variety of art galleries, the Asheville Art Museum, the Fine Arts Theater, the Diana Wortham Center, Asheville Community Theater, the Asheville Symphony, the Grey Eagle Music Hall, outdoor venues and more. (5)

Moving to Asheville, NC? Here Are Some Valuable Relocation Tips

Tip 1. Although some people still call Asheville "small", each area of the city has advantages and disadvantages homebuyers must consider. Asheville is separated into East, North, West and South sections. Get to know the neighborhoods, local resources, price ranges and problems before you make a final decision about where to buy a home.

Tip 2. Always hire a full time real estate agent that knows how to get around the city and fully understands the different sections of Asheville. This will help you make a sound real estate investment. Avoid real estate professionals that are after the short sale, find an agent that is invested in your success.

Tip 3. Make a list of your criteria before you start your home search. How many bedrooms do you want? How far are you willing to commute to work? How close do you want to be to schools, hospitals or shopping? All of these questions help narrow down your search and, in a buyer’s market, save you time.

All in all getting to know Asheville is why so many people have come to love it throughout history. Buy a piece of mountain property or real estate and experience the joy of mountain living.

Real Estate Resources:

1. http://www.wnchistory.org/museum/droversroad.htm

2. http://www.ashevillechamber.org/economicdevelopment/demographics.asp

3. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/asheville/health.htm

4. http://www.missionhospitals.org/body.cfm?id=642

5. http://www.ashevillenc.com