Earth, Wind & Fire once asked: “Do you remember the 21st night of September?” and it’s been stuck in our heads ever since.
Today, we dug through the archives to find some Asheville moments in time from some 21st nights (and days) of September.
1919
A 20-minute rain shower helped bring Asheville back from the brink of its “most serious water shortage in its history.” A two-month drought left rivers low, drinking fountains dry, and car washing banned — water service was even turned off during certain parts of the day. But the Sept. 21 rain allowed some restrictions to be lifted, reopening laundromats and allowing soda fountains to operate normally again. The rain kept coming, and by the end of the month, the drought was history.
1924
Folks were certainly eating, drinking, and being merry at the new Battery Park Hotel, which opened just three days prior. The 1924 version was take two of the Battery Park Hotel. After being bought by E.W. Grove, the original had been demolished in 1922 and the mountain beneath it razed — and the Grove Arcade was built in its place. A new 14-story Battery Park Hotel was placed just behind the site, with rooftop dining and luxurious rooms. It stayed a hotel until the 1970s, but these days, it holds apartments.
1994
Work was completed on French Broad River Park, which served as the prototype for river park development throughout the French Broad watershed. More than 2,000 people attended the park’s dedication several days later. RiverLink had planned the park since the 1980s, and the nonprofit’s executive director, Karen Cragnolin, was instrumental in making it a reality. The French Broad River Greenway also got its start here, with 0.19 miles paved in the park.
Byrne played songs from his collaboration album with Brian Eno.
Photo by Andrea Sartorati via Flickr
2008
Singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and frontman of the iconic rock band Talking Heads, David Byrne, took the stage at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium for his “Everything That Happens Will Happen Today” tour. Check out the setlist.
