Thanks to its gorgeous location in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the ongoing vision of innovative leaders and residents, Asheville today is rated one of the best Southern cities to live in. With a population of about 90,000 people, it’s the 12th most populous city in North Carolina. Drawn to its beauty and mountain air, George Vanderbilt built his 250-room French Chateau in Asheville from 1889–1895. The railroad attracted industry to the area, along with affluent people from all over the South. During the 1920s, businesses downtown expanded exponentially to meet the needs of the growing and now diverse population. But the Great Depression put the city’s dreams on hold. Although Asheville retained the highest per capita debt of any city in the country, its leaders repaid every cent by the 1970s. Then, a new generation of visionaries championed a revitalized city with a restored downtown, which resulted 30+ years later in this unique city. The Blue Ridge Parkway, hundreds of mountain trails, and the French Broad River enthrall hikers, cyclists, paddlers, and birdwatch-ers. Come explore the city’s many restaurants and craft breweries, craft and culture scene, shopping opportunities, festivals and music, and its Art Deco architecture and fascinating history. More than 100 photographs by Paul Franklin showcase Asheville’s multifaceted charm and vitality.
