The Blue Ridge Hospital opened in September 1922. At the time, it was Asheville’s only medical facility for Black residents. In addition to treating the injured and sick, the site also operated a nurse training program for African American women.
Author: Thomas Calder
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Chad Nesbitt’s controversial career in local politics
Valiant community crusader or outlandish provocateur? Xpress reviews Chad Nesbitt’s long and colorful history in Buncombe County politics.
Asheville Archives: City confronts unemployment, 1930-32
During the onset of the Great Depression, the city of Asheville authorized the formation of the Unemployment Council. The committee’s first project was the community wood yard, which employed 140 workers. Instead of a paycheck, all participants received groceries, clothing and wood.
Remembrance Project spotlights Buncombe County’s history of racial terror
In September, the Buncombe County Remembrance Project opened a charitable fund at The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina with the goal of raising $80,000 over the next six months. Among other things, the money will support online educational programs about racial justice and the region’s history of racial terror.
Asheville Archives: Residents at Hillcrest Apartments organize a rent strike, 1967-68
In the winter of 1967, over 30 residents joined in a rent strike at Hillcrest Apartments. The movement lasted far longer than expected and soon spread across the city’s two other public housing projects.
Local historians honor forgotten railroad workers
Local historians have teamed up to commemorate the hundreds of lives lost during the construction of the Western North Carolina Railroad in the late 1870s.
Asheville Archives: Lee-Walker Heights opens, 1951
In 1951, during segregation, the Asheville Housing Authority launched Lee-Walker Heights, the city’s first low-rent housing project built for African American residents. The city’s second, all-white housing project, Pisgah View Apartments, opened in West Asheville the following year.
Preservation Society quietly announces new executive director
Jessie Landl, the new executive director of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County, discusses the challenges of stepping into a leadership role during COVID-19.
Author George Singleton examines life’s daily struggles through comedy
On Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., Malaprop’s will host a virtual book event with South Carolina author George Singleton. His latest collection, “You Want More,” blends humor and tragedy in a series of short stories about everyday people trying to start over and get by.
Asheville Archives: Biltmore opens to the public, 1930
On March 15, 1930, the Biltmore Estate opened to visitors. Despite the nation’s economic hardships, the new tourist attraction registered 39,052 guests between its launch and June 30, 1931.
Kenilworth residents honor George Gibson
For more than 35 years, George Gibson has volunteered to help maintain the South Asheville Cemetery. In appreciation of his dedication, community members recently named a creek in his honor.
Local church spreads hope during COVID-19
Kathy Ziprik, an elder at Mills River Presbyterian Church, receives daily prayers in her email inbox as part of the congregation’s ongoing prayer fence project.
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle makes history with her debut novel
“Even as We Breathe” is a retrospective, coming-of-age tale replete with youthful romance, family secrets, murder and prisoners of war. Set at the Grove Park Inn during World War II, the book comes out Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Foreign diplomats held hostage at the Grove Park Inn, 1942
On April 3, 1942, Axis diplomats were interned at Grove Park Inn. The 221 prisoners of war were the first in a series of detainees confined to the resort that year.
Pandemic hasn’t cooled red-hot real estate market
Despite high unemployment and ongoing uncertainties related to the pandemic, Asheville’s real estate market is booming. Local agents and lenders say a majority of their new clients are leaving densely populated cities as they seek lower housing costs and greater insulation from COVID-19.
Asheville Archives: Real estate interests raise funds to establish the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1926
In 1926, North Carolina and Tennessee needed to raise $1 million as part of a federal prerequisite for the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As the deadline approached, the outlook did not look promising for the Tar Heel State.
Local African American pastors express support for city officials, Asheville police
“We are here to help support tangible solutions so that resources can be put into our community-led and community-based organizations,” declared Pastor John Grant during an Aug. 24 press conference at Pack Square.
Asheville Archives: Advertisements and theories about the 1916 earthquake
On Feb. 21, 1916, dishes rattled in the homes of Asheville residents, as the city experienced a 5.5 magnitude earthquake.
Asheville Archives: Citizens respond to the Great Depression, 1932
In 1932, the Normal Business Council was created with a single mission in mind: to infuse $100,000 into the local Asheville economy.
Wildfires spread in David Joy’s latest novel
David Joy’s latest novel, “When These Mountains Burn,” offers an unflinching look at addiction, family ties and loss. The book will be published Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Controversial plea deal for former APD officer extended
Christopher Hickman’s period of supervised probation for the 2017 assault of Johnnie Rush might have ended this month if not for delays in the community engagement portion of his restorative justice plea deal. COVID-19, as well as other obligations for the Raleigh-based program director, disrupted the yearlong schedule and will lead to an extension of Hickman’s probation.