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.
Author: Thomas Calder
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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.
Asheville Archives: Roughly 50,000 Black residents leave North Carolina, 1889-90
With concerns over a new voting law, an agricultural recession and ongoing exploitation through the state’s crop lien system, roughly 50,000 African Americans left North Carolina between 1889-90.
Religious leaders tackle systemic racism
Many religious leaders in Western North Carolina are using the pulpit to call for racial justice. For some, the message predates the killing of George Floyd; for others, the issue is a new and delicate topic.
Local church leader challenges congregation about its racial assumptions, 1941
Between 1930-70, some local churches joined in participation of the annual “Race Relations Sunday” sermon held each February.
Ron Rash releases his latest collection of stories
Vengeance, justice, loss and addiction are all explored in Ron Rash’s latest collection, “In the Valley: Stories and a Novella Based on ‘Serena,'” which hits bookstores Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The role white supremacy played in compulsory education, 1906
In 1906, illiteracy among white North Carolina children totaled 45,000. This, combined with a growing fear of an educated Black population, led local residents to push for compulsory education laws.
Residents react to the 1964 Civil Rights Act
In the early months of 1964, residents shared their thoughts on the impending civil rights bill. Most who offered their opinions expressed a dire message of inevitable chaos if the measure were to become law.
Local resident contributes to his community through gardening
Six years ago, Roy Harris helped launch the Southside Community Garden. The initiative has taken on greater meaning in the wake of COVID-19, he says. Food insecurity is a particular problem in the predominantly low-income Southside neighborhood. Gardening, he continues, is one way to combat the issue.
Asheville Archives: Citizens Hotel Corp. pushes for community buy-in, 1922-23
In November 1922, plans were unveiled for the new George Vanderbilt Hotel. Residents were quickly summoned to invest in the project. Not everyone jumped on board.
Finding happiness during times of collective grief
Xpress spoke with Asheville community members to learn how they’re finding moments of joy amid an unrelenting pandemic and the latest incident of an unarmed Black man killed by a white officer.