Asheville

… city and county seat, central Buncombe County on French Broad River. Settled about 1792; inc. 1797. First called Morristown, probably for William Morrison, who cast the deciding vote as one of the commissioners to select a site for the courthouse in 1792. Named Asheville for Samuel Ashe, governor of North Carolina (1795-98). As the city grew, its boundaries were extended to take in a number of adjacent areas, including Kenilworth, Biltmore, Montford, Ramoth (or Woolsey), Sunset Park, Victoria, and West Asheville. Historically a tourist and health resort, the city experienced a renaissance as bohemian mecca in late twentieth century. Alt. 2,216. University of North Carolina at Asheville N of downtown. Industry: publishing, software, apparel electronics, furniture, handicrafts, metalwork.