What’s in a (street) name?

18 historic street names in Asheville

East-west thoroughfare Patton Avenue. | Photo by @matty.media

The city of Asheville was incorporated in 1797 when Asheville was renamed from Morristown after a slaveholder and governor named Samuel Ashe.

It’s safe to say that over the years, the city has been touched by countless historical figures and happenings — many of which have shaped the names of Asheville’s buildings, parks, and streets. In this guide, we’re delving into the history of Asheville’s streets — specifically how they were named.

West Asheville

An eclectic spot full of art, breweries, restaurants, and entertainment, it was once colloquially known as “Worst Asheville” due to the crime and neglect that characterized the neighborhood before its renaissance in the 1990s.

Haywood Rd. was named such because it led to neighboring Haywood County.

Beacham’s Curve took its name from the original operators of one of the country’s first electric streetcars that began offering service in Asheville around 1916.

While historians aren’t sure precisely who named it, they agree Hominy Valley was named after the Native word for corn.

North Asheville

A walkable, tree-lined neighborhood comprised of families, retirees, and college students from UNC Asheville, North Asheville also offers quality neighborhood eateries and entertainment.

Merrimon Ave. is named after Augustus S. Merrimon. Merrimon was an attorney, a US Senator, and a Chief Justice of North Carolina’s Supreme Court that supported policies that favored whites.

Chestnut and Orange Streets were named based on the color of the area’s vegetation.

Downtown

Much of what we love about our charming downtown — like its stunning architecture and opportunities for shopping, eating, and entertainment — took place in in the 1920s, a decade-long period of growth for the city.

Broadway was changed in 1914 from North Main Street. The name came from the Morgan N. Smith shop, which promised to be a “Broadway” style shop.

Chicken Alley’s name comes from the chickens that used to populate the alley during Asheville’s early days. Now, it’s known for the chicken mural, created by Molly Must.

Wall St. was named for the iconic street in New York, at a time when planners were working to craft a more affluent feel in the city.

9 MORE HISTORIC STREETS

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Friday, Feb. 3

Friends of the South Buncombe Library Book Sale | Friday, Feb. 3-Saturday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | South Buncombe Library , 260 Overlook Rd., Asheville | Free | Support the library when you shop thousands of discount books in every genre and age group.
Food Is Love Donation Drive | Friday, Feb. 3-Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | Help collect healthy, nonperishable foods for distribution to folks in WNC.
Celebrating Black History & Black Futures | Friday, Feb. 3 | 5-8 p.m. | Noir Collective, 39 S. Market St., Asheville | Free | Kick off Black History Month with a spoken word performance, art reception, and celebration of the YMI Cultural Center’s 130th birthday.
Aquila Theatre presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice | Friday, Feb. 3 | 8 p.m. | Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $48 | Watch a performance of one of classic literature’s most beloved romantic comedies.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Cellarest Dog Adoption Event | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 1-4 p.m. | Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Meet a crew of adoptable dogs at this monthly event.
Black History Month Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 5-8 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St., Asheville | Free | Join Burton Street friends and neighbors for dinner and a movie highlighting the accomplishments of Black Americans.
Orange Moon | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 9 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $5 | Orange Moon performs the music of Erykah Badu and pays homage to the queen of neo-soul.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Sunday Brunch at Black Wall Street AVL | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 10:30 a.m. | Black Wall Street, 8 River Arts Pl., Asheville | $25 | Join the Black Wall Street team for a morning of network, connection, and brunch.
Fe-BREW-ary 5th Drag Brunch Season Kickoff | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 2-3 p.m. | Green Man Brewing, 27 Buxton Ave., Asheville | $25-$45 | This lively event includes brunch and a one-hour drag show, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofit Sunrise Community for Wellness and Recovery.
AFBU Fundraising Dinner | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 5-7 p.m. | Blue Dream Curry House, 81 Patton Ave., Asheville | $50 | Help raise money for the Asheville Food and Beverage United at Chef Jen Hampton’s four course, veganized South Texan dinner, with an optional cocktail and beer pairing.

We have a calendar filled with events and 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

Weather

35º | Partly cloudy | 4% chance of rain

Coming Soon

Missing Asiana Grand Buffet? Great news: its owner plans to reopen the space as Asian grocery store Asiana Market. Slated to open later this year, the 13,00-sqft space is expected to offer a wide array of fresh produce, packaged products, and more. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Development

Duke Energy has proposed building a solar project at its natural gas plant near Asheville. Officials with the company say that while building in the mountains can be more expensive due to location, it makes good on the company’s 2016 promise to modernize electricity production in WNC. Get more info. ☀️ (WSOC-TV)

Community

The 33rd annual Swannanoa Valley Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Gathering returns to the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Feb. 4. The event will include keynote speaker Reverend Scott Burgess discussing the theme “Building a Beloved Community,” plus a 25-member community choir and art exhibits. (The Valley Echo)

Seasonal

Looking for something out of the ordinary this Valentine’s Day? Stop by the Buncombe County Special Collections 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 and explore the vintage Valentines + love letters from the archives. You can also craft an old-fashioned valentine of your own. 💝

Festival

The Asheville Celtic Festival returns Saturday, Feb. 18. Taking place at the WNC Agricultural Center from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., the event features live music, dance, a Celtic Village of artisans + craftsmen, Border Collies, armored sword fighting, Scotch tastings, and more. Get tickets. 🍀

Try This

Want to grow your own food year round? The Farm Connection is launching a new Garden Veggie Plant CSA. Running from March-October, it includes a monthly array of veggies with instructions, tips, and tricks. Get more details. 🍅

Today Is

National Wear Red Day. This initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease is more than wearing a color. You can also set up a fundraising page and find volunteer options to make a difference in the lives of women across the country. 🫀

Announced

The AVL Valentine’s pick up line winner is Em M. The winning line reads, “Are you parking in downtown Asheville? Because you’re hard to find but I’ll cherish you when I do!” Fall in love with the entire pick up line collection. 💌

Finance

If cash back is king, this card is royalty. With a big sign-up bonus, up to 5% cash back, no annual fee, 0% APR until 2024 + more, it’s basically a no-brainer. 👀 *

Shop

Have you heard? Amazon now offers subscription boxes. Best of all — there’s a huge selection. Love trying out top rated beauty products? Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box. Music aficionado? Join the Vinyl of the Month Club. Pet parent? Your cat will love the KitNipBox. 📦 *

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Food

Where to find king cake in Asheville

The cake’s traditional colors represent faith, power, and justice. | Photo via @citybakery

Has it beignet a while since you had some king cake? We asked y’all where we could find them, and as usual, you delivered the goods. Read on for the scoop on where you can preorder these colorful, tasty treats.

City Bakery, 60 Biltmore Ave. and 88 Charlotte St. | Preorder your cake now for pickup between Wednesday, Feb.15- Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Ivory Road Café & Kitchen, 1854 Brevard Rd., Arden | Place your orders by Wednesday, Feb.15, and pick up between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, Saturday, Feb. 18, or Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Geraldine’s Bakery, 840 Merrimon Ave. | Contact the bakery to place a special order, and please note: these cakes will contain coffee beans, as opposed to a plastic baby doll.

Short Street Bakery, 225 Haywood Rd. | Preorder your cake now with at least 48 hours’ notice.

Whisk AVL, 801 Smokey Park Hwy., Candler | This cozy little drive-thru spot requires 48 hours’ notice for king cake preorders.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brook.

Editor’s pick: I don’t know about y’all, but I am pumped to see how Asiana Market shakes out.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? See how you can honor Black history locally.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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