It’s (sky) high time we discuss the Cloudland Hotel

The epic history of the Cloudland Hotel

The Appalachian Trail passes by the site of the former Cloudland Hotel. | Photo via Mitchell County Historical Society

Roan Mountain, which straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina in nearby Mitchell County (~72 miles northeast of Asheville), is renowned for its hiking, limitless vistas, and legendary rhododendron blooms. And once upon a time, it was also home to the mammoth Cloudland Hotel.

The hotel was built in 1885 and named after the clouds that enshrouded Roan Mountain. It was the brainchild of John Thomas Wilder, a US Army brigadier general in the Civil War and industrialist, and began as a modest 20-room lodge. After being successfully marketed as a haven for well-to-do folks with health issues — as well as an escape from scorching summer temperatures — it drew famous clientele, including André Michaux, Asa Gray, and John Muir. The success led Wilder to replace the lodge with an enormous 166-room hotel in 1885.

Some of its biggest draws — the elevation and weather — also wound up being a factor in the hotel’s demise. Harsh weather conditions, including wind, snow, and rain took their toll and led to the hotel being abandoned in 1910. By 1915 the hotel was falling to the ground. Today, all that remains of the Cloudland Hotel is a forest service marker offering info on the historic structure.

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Tuesday, Nov. 15

East Fork Holiday Makers Market | Tuesday, Nov. 15-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | East Fork Asheville, 15 W. Walnut St., Asheville | Free | Shop one of a kind creations at this annual market, which showcases the artistic wares of East Fork employees from ceramics to textiles and beyond.
Buncombe Partnership for Children Silent Auction Fundraiser | Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | Free | This silent auction fundraiser, presented by the Buncombe Partnership for Children and Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, will help provide free books to children in Buncombe County.

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Edible North Carolina Book Event at East Fork Pottery | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 6 p.m. | East Fork Pottery, 15 W. Walnut St., Asheville | Join food historian and editor Marcie Cohen Ferris and other authors discuss the new book, which presents a compelling and holistic look at the foodways of the Tar Heel State.
Decadence on Display | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 6:30 p.m. | Burial Forestry Camp Taproom, 10 Shady Oak Dr., Asheville | $35 | Take a deep dive into chocolate’s role in crafting Pastry Stout during this tasting experience featuring French Broad Chocolate pastries.

Thursday, Nov. 17

Well Played Wipeout | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe, 162 Coxe Ave. #101, Asheville | Free | Use your nimble fingers and hands to play competitive games and win prizes at this inaugural gaming event.

Friday, Nov. 18

A Very Glassy Holiday Market | Friday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 10 a.m. | North Carolina Glass Center, 140 Roberts St. Ste. C, Asheville | Support the nonprofit glass center by shopping for locally made, artisan glass ornaments and decorations.

Saturday, Nov. 19

Plant Club Pop-up | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Art Garden AVL, 191 Lyman St., Asheville | Free | Check out 10+ local plant vendors at this fun, monthly gathering.
Frost Moon Bazaar | Saturday, Nov. 19, Saturday, Nov. 26 | 12-8 p.m. | Catawba Brewing Co., 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | Free | Celebrate hygge season and shop from a selection of local artists, makers + other vendors.
Asheville Symphony - Masterworks 3: A Night at the Opera | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 8-10 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St. | $25-$75 | Enjoy an exhilarating evening of opera scenes, arias and choruses, led by Maestro Darko Butorac and featuring three incredible guests, the Asheville Symphony, and the Asheville Symphony Chorus.*

Plan Ahead

Heritage Glitz & Glam New Year’s Eve Dinner | Sat., Dec. 31, 2022 | 6 p.m.-1 a.m. | The Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC | Dinner included in package price | Enjoy a plated dinner Old Hollywood style with a live Rat Pack Era band — part of the NYE Package.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

A recession resistant opportunity to build your nest egg? Yes, please.

Masterworks’ easy-to-use app lets you invest in fractionalized blue-chip art. | Photo via Masterworks

With personal investment portfolios declining a whopping 44% this year, according to JPMorgan, you’re not alone if you’re feeling anxious about your retirement fund.

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INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE

Weather

45º | Rain | 92% chance of rain

Coming Soon

New eatery Leo’s Italian Social is coming to 264 Thetford St. in Biltmore Park Town Square later this month. Expect Italian classics like meatballs, fresh pastas, and wood-fired pizzas. The Asheville location is the Ohio-based business’ third location. 🍝 (Ashevegas)
PlantHouse is slated to open at 2 Hendersonville Rd. in the Biltmore Station shopping center in early 2023. The self-proclaimed “experienced-based terrarium workshop and premium plant store” offers a wide variety of plants and accessories. 🪴(Ashevegas)

Number

$5.2 million. That’s the sale price for the 10,750-sqft Jubilee! Community Church property at 46 Wall St. The building, which fronts both Patton Avenue and Wall Street, also features a lower level for $2.7 million. Jubilee! plans to use money from the sale to support area nonprofits. 💸 (Ashevegas)
64. That’s how many solar panels were recently installed at UNC Asheville. This 26-kW solar installation will double the university’s current solar power production — propelling the school towards its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. See how much money the panels will save UNC Asheville over the next 30 years. ☀️ *

Cause

MANNA FoodBank’s virtual turkey drive takes place through Friday, Dec. 16. All donations to the turkey drive will be matched until they reach $10,000. Donate to help provide holiday foods to folks across WNC’s 16 counties. 🦃

Edu

Western Carolina University is launching Catamount Commitment, a pilot program that guarantees undergraduate students up to $3,000 per year in scholarships over the course of four years. It aims to help students and families better understand the cost of college before enrolling. 💰(Smoky Mountain News)

Feel Good

Here’s a warm fuzzy. This past weekend, a staff member of the Asheville Humane Society got married at the nonprofit’s Adoption Center. Two puppies stood with the couple as bridesmaid and groomsman and the happy couple adopted their bridesmaid. See more adoptable babies. 🐾

Real Estate

Enjoy views of Grandfather Mountain, Short Off + Lake James from the patio or screened-in porch of this 3 BD, 2 BA Nebo home. The home boasts an open-concept floor plan and is offered fully furnished. Bonus: Embrace lake life with the deeded boat slip and miles of community walking trails. 🏡 *

Eat

Some combos just make sense — like seafood and drinks. Enter: The Lobster Trap. Get some dinner time inspo + discover the perfect drinking pairing in our latest menu roundup. Oh, and go ahead and reserve a table. 🦞 *

Try This

Daunted by a long holiday shopping list? Quick cash idea: List your extra storage spaces on Neighbor. You can rent out anything from closets and sheds to driveways and parking spots. Bonus: Listing your space is free. 💸*

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Winter is coming, Appalachian-style

The Appalachian legend of the woolly worm

Woolly worm caterpillars are the immature stage of the native Isabella moth. | Photo via @greatsmokynps

Woolly worms are out and about. These iconic caterpillars, also known as woolly bears, are a common autumnal sight and have historically been used in Appalachia to forecast winter weather before modern means. The critters are so beloved they’ve even had their own annual festival in Banner Elk (~75 miles northeast of Asheville) for the last 45 years.

It’s not just mountain folks that appreciate them. Experts from meteorologists to entomologists see some value in their prediction abilities. Each worm has 13 segments to its body, which corresponds to the 13 weeks of winter. Woolly Worm Festival organizers say the caterpillars are more right than wrong — 87% accurate, in fact.

Wondering how to “read” a woolly worm? Legend has it, the longer its black bands are the longer and more severe the winter will be. Additionally, the wider its middle brown band, the milder the upcoming winter. The position of the caterpillar’s longest dark bands indicates which part of winter will be coldest or hardest. If the caterpillar’s head is dark, the beginning of winter will be severe. If its tail end is dark, the end of winter will be cold.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brook.

Editor’s pick: Have y’all ever “read” woolly worms? I have fond memories of both my granddaddies doing this.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? See why Charlotte is an ideal autumn destination.

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Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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