Historic Map - Asheville, NC - 1912

View of Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., 1912 / drawn & published by T. M. Fowler.

This panoramic print of Asheville, North Carolina was drawn by Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler and published by Charles Hart, lithographer in 1912. Asheville was established in the late 1700's at the confluence of the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

A railroad from Salisbury to Asheville was completed in 1880 giving new impetus to the agricultural community. Business and manufacturing began to increase, particularly with furniture and mica production.

The 1912 town booster states:

”Asheville, always alive! Has 31,000 population, including suburbs. Altitude 2,250 feet. Mean temperature 55 degrees. An ideal all-the-year-round resort. Atmosphere cool, dry, bracing, invigorating. The record of the Government weather bureau located here shows maximum mean temperature for summer months of 81.8 for June, 81.8 for July, and 83.2 for August; a minimum of 57.8 for June, 60.1 for July, and 60.5 for August. Has over 38 miles of paved streets. Sixty-five miles of paved sidewalks. Fine macadam and sand clay roads in all directions. Sixty miles sanitary and storm sewers; compulsory connection. Asheville’s matchless water supply comes from the slopes of Mt. Mitchell, 6,711 ft., and highest point east of the Rockies. City owns 10,000 acre watershed covered with virgin forest and patrolled daily by wardens. Three Hydroelectric plants developing 10,000 horse-power, an abundance of cheap power and light. Making this ideal location for Manufacturing Plants, especially Wood-working Plants, of which several already are in operation here. Has 17 miles street railway; 7½ and 15 minute schedules 45 cars. Nine miles inter-urban electric line, Asheville to Weaverville. 20 miles of gas mains. Commodius Modern Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. buildings, three hospitals, Public school system with sixteen buildings; property valuation, $150,000.00; 100 teachers, 4,000 pupils. Private schools, eleven; literary, military (established 1793); musical; property valuation, over half million dollars. Has four public parks. Pack Memorial Library, 11,500 volumes; Postoffice receipts 1905, $50,192.23; 1912, $83,336.73. Thirty churches and missions, all denominations. Five banks, Telephone system with 2500 phones and long distance connections. Fire Departments; 21 Fire Alarm Stations; 325 fire hydrants; 2 companies; two 80 h. p. Seagrave motor driven hose wagons; 2,000 feet of hose; one hook and ladder wagon. The most magnificent private home in the world is located here-the home of Mr. George W. Vanderbilt. Write Board of Trade for handsome illustrated booklet.”

The image includes labeled streets, bridges, buildings and railroad routes. It features border illustrations of the following:

• The Grant Realty Co.
• American Furniture Manufacturing Co.
• English Lumber Co., Inc.
• Carolina Machinery Company.
• Asheville Mica Company.