Author Description

Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville, lying in the western foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and east of the Great Smokes, is a city surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty. The advanced civilization of the Cheroke Indian National already lay over the land when the first white settlers of Scotch-Irish descent began to war with them over possession of the Western North Carolina territory. Then, in rapid ascendancy, the tiny frontier village grew into a town, was 'discovered' by men of tremendous wealth and unlocked from its mountain fortress by the silver-bright steel rails of steam power. Ashville became one of the South's most luxurious resorts with fine, large hotels. George Vanderbilt selected Asheville and its wilderness setting as 'The most beautiful spot in the world.' He purchased over 100,000 acres and constructed Biltmore House, the most sumptuous private residence in America. Two Golden Ages have endowed the city with a heritage of outstanding architecture. Many of the basic structures are notably European. Later, the Art Deco period flourished in the creation of extravagantly detailed and highly original designs. Thomas Wolfe was a native son. He wrote of his home town as no modern author had before him, and made Asheville world famous as Altamont in his finest novel, 'Look Homeword, Angel.'