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November 3, 1868: Asheville Election Riot

November 3, 1868: Asheville Election Riot

On this day in WNC history: Amid the charged climate of the Reconstruction period, the Asheville Election Riot occurred on this day in 1868. After mounting tensions between Black and white voters erupted in a flurry of gunfire, one Black man—James Smith—soon died...
October 3, 1880: First Passenger Train to Asheville

October 3, 1880: First Passenger Train to Asheville

On this day in WNC history: On October 3, 1880, the first passenger rail service arrived in Asheville at a small station along modern Depot Street. The engineer and passengers were greeted by clamoring onlookers. During the mid-1800s, train service becoming...
October 2, 1866: 2nd Freedmen’s Convention

October 2, 1866: 2nd Freedmen’s Convention

On this day in WNC history: Convening in the St. Paul AME Church in Raleigh, African American representatives from seven WNC counties joined the second Freedmen’s Convention on this day in 1866. In the 1865 Freedmen’s Convention almost all representatives came from...
September 26, 1923: Spruce Pine Mob

September 26, 1923: Spruce Pine Mob

September 26, 1923: One of the most visible incidents of racial terror and intimidation in WNC began on this day in 1923 near the small town of Spruce Pine in Mitchell County. The terror inflicted had parallels with other contemporary violence such as the Tula...