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Overview
Although Asheville was settled as early as 1784, it wasn't necessarily a quiet mountain hollow. Subjected to Native American and Civil War conflicts in the hundred years afterwards, the town didn't take on a more prominent profile until the late 19th century. At that time, during America's Gilded Age, affluent entrepreneurs built grand homes to showcase their wealth and then created vacation "cottages" in remote locations, finding relief from city life and summer heat. Asheville caught the eye of George Washington Vanderbilt II and was chosen as the site of his French Renaissance-inspired residence. Biltmore, as it was called, premiered to his friends in 1895 and was an immediate sensation. Visited by presidents, royalty, and literary figures, it was a destination for leisure and luxury; these days, it remains a symbol of extravagance, even as the general populace roams its halls and grounds.
The building of Biltmore brought not only recognition but industry to Asheville, and the mansion's employees and craftsmen made an impact on the city at large. They left it with a legacy of handmade excellence and pride in local culture, trends that continue with its enviable arts focus and appreciation for mountain life. In fact, Asheville's appeal has grown into a nationwide recognition, and myriad publications and organizations have rated it highly for livability and for its happiness quotient. Such laurels are, of course, old news to city residents.
Part of the reason that the seat of Buncombe County is such a draw is its incomparable setting. Gorgeous, high-elevation scenery, a position at the conjunction of the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers, mild temperatures, and proximity to recreation and solitude all conspire to make it a city worthy of putting down roots. Onetime home to Thomas Wolfe and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, the town also boasts a literary thread that reaches back generations and contributes to Asheville's cultural influence.
None of that history, however, diminishes the allure of present-day life. Talented chefs at top restaurants serve an array of excellent fare, both local and more far-flung in origin, and the promotion of organic foodstuffs and vegetarian options distinguishes the dining scene. Great bands are booked at area venues, and touring shows are proud to make stopovers in western NC's largest city. Plus, community productions and concerts give homegrown heroes a chance to shine and experiment. Festivals, too, are nothing if not diverse, celebrating everything from Biltmore's latter-day opulence to hand-gathered mountain produce. Even something as seemingly distant as whitewater kayaking finds a home in Asheville, and adherents of the sport can be found tackling the rapids at every opportunity.
It's that all-encompassing hospitality, that broadly extended welcome, that gives Asheville such character and that is, perhaps, the city's signature. If you want to mine fantastic merchandise at boutiques and galleries, it's easy; if you want to headquarter yourself at a lovely B&B for jaunts throughout the region, it's effortless; and if you want to give yourself license to party at independent bars and clubs, it's simple. After all, if the Vanderbilts saw Asheville as a place to get away and relax, why shouldn't you enjoy the same degree of leisure?
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