Historical Markers in Buncombe County, North Carolina
1st U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery
André Michaux
Appalachian Stage
Ashe Monument
Asheville Normal School
Asheville's Enslaved People
Battery Porter
Battle of Asheville
Battle of Asheville
Biltmore Dairy Bar
Biltmore House
Bingham School
Birthplace of American Forestry
Black Mountain College
Brick Artisan
Brothers In Service
Buncombe County Court House
Buncombe Turnpike
Caney (Canie) Brown House
Civic Pride
Comings and Goings
Confederate Armory
Crossroads
Daniel K. Moore
David L. Swain
Dr. L.B. McBrayer
Electric Streetcars
Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D.
Ellington's Dream
Flat Iron Architecture
Flood of 1916
Forster A. Sondley
Francis Asbury
Frederick Law Olmsted
French Broad River
Gen. William J. Palmer
Geodesic Domes
George Winslow Whittington
Historic Hilltop
Home Place of Capt. Wm. Moore
Hotel District
Hustle and Bustle
Immortal Image
In Honor of Markus and Maria Reich
Jeter C. Pritchard
Jimmie Rodgers
Joseph Lane
Kiffin Y. Rockwell
Landsman Riley Powers
Legacy of Design
Lillian Exum Clement Stafford
Locke Craig
Montreat College
Monument Corner
Mount Mitchell Railroad
Newton Academy
O. Henry
Olive Tilford Dargan
Past and Promise
Private George Avery
Rattlesnake Lodge
Richmond Pearson
Riverside Cemetery
Rutherford Trace
Rutherford Trace
Rutherford Trace
Separate, Not Equal
Sherrill's Inn
Slavery by Another Name
Smith-McDowell House
St. Genevieve ~ Of ~ The ~ Pines
Stepping Out
Stoneman's Raid
Stoneman's Raid
Sulphur Springs
Swannanoa Gap
Swannanoa Gap Engagement
Swannanoa Tunnel
The Center of It All
The County of Buncombe
The Early Years In Asheville's Historic Central Square
The Old Depot Association
The Quilt Garden
The Town of Black Mountain
The University of North Carolina at Asheville
Thomas Wolfe
Thomas Wolfe House / Dixieland
To Honor the Revolutionary Soldiers
Trinity Episcopal Church
Up to Black Mountain
Walk Into History
War with Spain
Warren Wilson College
Wartime Jail
Weaver College
Western North Carolina Veterans Memorial
William Moore
Young Mens Institute
Zebulon B. Vance
Zebulon Baird Vance
Zelda Fitzgerald
"End of Car Line"
"The Block"
About Buncombe County
Buncombe County Timeline
Buncombe County, located in the western part of North Carolina, has a rich and vibrant history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee people, who had a thriving civilization in the region long before European settlers arrived.
The first European explorers arrived in the 16th century, but it wasn't until the late 18th century that Buncombe County was officially established. The county was named after Colonel Edward Buncombe, a Revolutionary War hero. Settlement in the area began to increase rapidly as pioneers migrated westward, attracted by the fertile land, scenic beauty, and abundant natural resources.
During the 19th century, Buncombe County experienced significant growth and development. The construction of the Western North Carolina Railroad in the mid-1800s brought increased accessibility and economic opportunities to the area. Asheville, the county seat and largest city, became a popular destination for visitors seeking the cool mountain climate and natural beauty of the region.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Buncombe County benefited from the rise of the tourism industry, as wealthy individuals began building summer estates and luxurious hotels in the area. Asheville, in particular, became known for its grand architecture and vibrant cultural scene. The Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned house in the United States, was built in Asheville by George Vanderbilt and continues to attract visitors from around the world.
Today, Buncombe County is a thriving place with a diverse economy that includes tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The county continues to embrace its rich history while looking toward the future with a focus on sustainable development and preserving the unique character of the region.
The first European explorers arrived in the 16th century, but it wasn't until the late 18th century that Buncombe County was officially established. The county was named after Colonel Edward Buncombe, a Revolutionary War hero. Settlement in the area began to increase rapidly as pioneers migrated westward, attracted by the fertile land, scenic beauty, and abundant natural resources.
During the 19th century, Buncombe County experienced significant growth and development. The construction of the Western North Carolina Railroad in the mid-1800s brought increased accessibility and economic opportunities to the area. Asheville, the county seat and largest city, became a popular destination for visitors seeking the cool mountain climate and natural beauty of the region.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Buncombe County benefited from the rise of the tourism industry, as wealthy individuals began building summer estates and luxurious hotels in the area. Asheville, in particular, became known for its grand architecture and vibrant cultural scene. The Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned house in the United States, was built in Asheville by George Vanderbilt and continues to attract visitors from around the world.
Today, Buncombe County is a thriving place with a diverse economy that includes tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The county continues to embrace its rich history while looking toward the future with a focus on sustainable development and preserving the unique character of the region.
Buncombe County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Buncombe County, North Carolina.
- 1787 - Buncombe County is established and named after Edward Buncombe, a colonel in the American Revolutionary War.
- 1803 - Asheville becomes the county seat of Buncombe County.
- 1830 - The Buncombe Turnpike is completed, connecting Asheville to Tennessee and facilitating trade and settlement in the region.
- 1861-1865 - Buncombe County supports the Confederacy during the American Civil War, with many residents serving in the Confederate Army.
- 1880s - The arrival of the railroad in Buncombe County sparks economic growth and development.
- 1927 - Construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway begins, offering scenic views and attracting tourists to Buncombe County.
- 1930s-1940s - The Great Depression and World War II bring significant challenges to the county's economy.
- 1980s - Buncombe County experiences a revitalization with the growth of tourism, arts, and outdoor recreation.
- 1995 - Asheville's historic Biltmore Estate celebrates its 100th anniversary as a popular tourist attraction.
- 2013 - The Omni Grove Park Inn, a landmark hotel in Buncombe County, celebrates its 100th anniversary.