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Tall white obelisk tombstone in a cemetery, with flags and flowers at its base and bare trees in the background.
Asheville History
2 months ago
Tombstone Tales: A Revolutionary War veteran’s grave in Mitchell County tells a WNC story for July Fourth

At Kona Baptist Church Cemetery, a memorial to George Silver carries the story of American independence into the Toe River Valley and a family legacy deeply rooted in Western North Carolina.

Circular sign reading 'You are on Cherokee land' with two carved mask illustrations on each side of the sign central emblem.
Asheville History
2 months ago
Museum of the Cherokee People shares Cherokee perspective on Fourth of July

As America 250 approaches, the Museum of the Cherokee People has prepared several ways for the community to consider the Fourth of July from a nuanced historical perspective.

A chaotic battle in a forest: a rider is knocked from a white horse as soldiers clash with swords nearby.
Asheville History
2 months ago
Strangeville: Revolutionary War Ghosts of the Carolina Backcountry

Ahead of America 250, Revolutionary War folklore links Western North Carolina’s Overmountain Men to ghostly legends from the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Stone tombstone with an engraved poem in a cemetery; the visible lines begin 'How shall I speak of Thee...' with trees in the background.
Asheville History
3 months ago
Tombstone Tales: Flat Rock grave links to Declaration of Independence signer

As America marks its 250th anniversary, a grave at St. John in the Wilderness Cemetery connects Flat Rock to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and a young man remembered not for his famous name, but for his character.

Man in a suit hanging from a rooftop ledge, tipping his hat toward the camera as he balances on the edge (black-and-white historic photo).
Asheville History
3 months ago
Strangeville: Harry Gardiner, the ‘Human Fly’ Who Climbed Asheville’s Flat Iron Building

A century before viral stunts, Harry Gardiner drew crowds to downtown Asheville by scaling the Flat Iron Building without ropes — part spectacle, part fundraiser and part civic promotion.

Sunlit cemetery scene with a tall ornate angel statue on the right and a tree-lined path to the left of the lawned grounds.
Asheville History
3 months ago
Tombstone Tales: Biltmore Estate stone was used to carve this historic Asheville cemetery angel

The Riverside Cemetery monument was carved by English stoneworker Fred Miles from limestone left over from Biltmore Estate’s construction.

The restored entrance gate at Lou Pollock Memorial Park earned a Griffin Award for Restoration, recognizing efforts to preserve the historic landmark's original character.
Asheville History
3 months ago
Restoration of historic Asheville cemetery gate wins Griffin Award

Lou Pollock Memorial Park entrance, damaged by a truck, was painstakingly rebuilt using original materials and preservation techniques

Two sepia-era newspaper clippings reading ‘BLOODY TALES FROM SKYLAND’ and ‘Killed by a Moonshiner’ float above a silhouette of rolling hills, evoking old frontier crime stories.
Asheville History
3 months ago
Strangeville: Devil’s Den and the outlaw legends of Iron Mountain

On the North Carolina-Tennessee line, Devil’s Den became part of a darker mountain history shaped by moonshiners and outlaws.

image of government issued headstone in a cemetery in the mountains of western north carolina
Asheville History
3 months ago
Tombstone Tales: A World War I soldier’s grave in Buncombe County reflects meaning of Memorial Day

Walter Martin died in France during World War I and remained buried overseas for nearly three years before his remains were returned to Buncombe County.

Mountain ridge framed by tree branches with green and yellowing leaves against a blue sky behind it
Outdoors
4 months ago
Pisgah View State Park: Opening timeline, history and key details

Pisgah View State Park, located in the lap of Mount Pisgah just 18 miles outside of Asheville, N.C., will provide Western North Carolina with over 1,500 acres of hiking, recreation and outdoor community when it opens. Learn all about it.