In the early days, the River Arts District was home to Cherokees; the estate of Asheville's first millionaire, James McConnell Smith; and the Southern Railroad Depot. It was also known as Asheville's first industrial district; one of the area's most vibrant African American communities, which has since been decimated by urban renewal; and the base of prominent grassroots organizations such as RiverLink, Mountain Housing Opportunities, the West-End Clingman Avenue neighborhood, and the River District Artists. In 1989, Asheville's citizens developed a long-range revitalization plan for the...
In the early days, the River Arts District was home to Cherokees; the estate of Asheville's first millionaire, James McConnell Smith; and the Southern...
