Souvenir of Asheville or the Sky-Land
by
Mrs. Harriet Adams Sawyer
(1892)

Souvenir of Asheville or the Sky-Land, [Cover]
D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, UNC at Asheville 28804

INTRODUCTION:

So many and great are the attractions and advantages offered by this modern Arcadia, it would be impossible to set them forth within the scope designed for this little souvenir. Accordingly, we shall only present, in so brief a form that " he who runs may read," a few of the salient points which make Asheville pre-eminently desirable as a place of resort, either for health, or pleasure, ...

Asheville, Or Sky-Land.
Beautiful for Situation.

"In this little souvenir of Asheville, it is our purpose to let it, so far as is possible, speak for itself. It has been said, "Figures do not lie." Is not this statement equally true of photography? Claiming that it is so, we give you, on a very small scale, a peep into this "SKYLAND."

As 'multum in parvo' is our motto, it has been exceedingly difficult to select from the hunderds of views, presented by the photographer, the small number which we can insert. The more we scanned the varied charms depicted, the more serious became the difficulty ; but, at last we have selected a few, which must be received by the reader as typical only, of the indescribable and unlimited expanse of grandeur and beauty, which Nature has so lavishly spread before us in this land of the sky.

'Lift thine eyes, O' lift thine eyes unto the mountains, from whence cometh thine help,'

To the ever-moving population of our country, especially to those who are seekers after health, and, not less truly to those who need only seek after the delights of travel, comes the question yearly -- 'Where shall we go?' Many places in the country answer the query most satisfactorily if you only wish a transient abode. To the North we are pointed for cooling breezes in summer, and to the South for balmy air and invigorating sun- ."

" It is upward of a hundred and fifty miles long with an average width of twenty-five miles. It lies west of the Pine Ridge and east of the Great Smoky Mountains, its surface being much cut up by cross-chains and spurs of its eastern and western barriers, as the Black Mountain from the Blue Ridge, the Balsam, the Cullowee and Nantahala from the Smokies. Hills, valleys, rivers and forests, so diversify this intra montane expanse as to make it lovely and restful to the eye beyond the power of my pen to portray.

" The great Appalachian chain, upon reaching North Car­olina, stands sponsor to a section which should be, and I predict will be, the great sanitorium of our eastern country. As if conscious of its future importance it has seen fit to

guard the plateau with its loftiest and grandest peaks, a half hundred of which tower to a height upward of six thousand feet, and a dozen pierce the sky at an altitude greater than that of Mount Washington, or any point east of the Rocky Mountains. As far as scenery goes, ' age cannot wither, nor custom stale its infinite variety' —a point too little thought of in casting about for a suitable climate.

" Asheville, the county seat of Buncombe, well situated 250 feet above the waters of the French Broad and Swan-nanoa rivers, and one mile from their confluence, is itself 2,350 feet above tide water. The entire region is covered with a luxuriant growth of primitive forest of pine, balsam and the handsomest of the deciduous variety of trees gener­ally, the mountains being wooded to their very summits, an unusual and an attractive feature which delights the eye and at once impresses most favorably the tourist and health seeker. The scenic effects to be had here are a proper food for the eye of the sick and the well, and in rounding up the complement of a health resort are not to be lost sight of. The Blue Ridge to the eastward is the water shed of the mountain region of Western North Carolina, the plateau being well watered by clear mountain streams the general direction of which is westward toward the Mississippi.
 

Nature of Climate.

THE climate of the Asheville Plateau may be called a medium altitude, dry, all-the-year-round climate, en­joying peculiar advantages and many attractive features by reason of its geographical situation. It is cool in summer, yet the winters, shorn of their harshness by rea-

son of its southern latitude, induce almost daily out-of-door exercise, in the way of shooting, riding, driving, or short mountain excursions on foot. Moderate altitude, dry and ozoniferous atmosphere, bright sunshine and beautiful scenic environment are the important factors of the region.

TEMPERATURE.

" Observation extending through a period of eight years shows as follows:

" Mean temperature of Spring,     53-49.

"      "           "          Summer, 70-72.
'•               "          "  Autumn, 53-48.
"            "                Winter,    38-87.
"              "          for the year, 54-14."

 During a period of eight years the mercury but twice rose above 88 degrees, and but three times fell below 3 degrees." " The diurnal ranges of the thermometer are very small when compared with the high regions of the west," the mean daily range being twice as great at Colorado Springs as at Asheville.

" Dr. Herman Canfield, who has a handsome private institution for the treatment of chronic diseases near Bristol, R. I , spent some days here in January, 1886, casting about for a locality for cases needing special climatic influences. In a paper upon ' Some Health Resorts of the South,' the Doctor says of Asheville, ' We have nothing like it east of the Rocky Mountains, and the resulting climate resembles close­ly that of the Parks of Colorado.' And speaking of the perception of heat and cold being a guide to climate, even

more reliable than meteorological record, continues, ' I trav­eled in the open air most of the time (January) without an overcoat. * * * I did not feel the cold with the mer­cury at 32 degrees, in the rain, as I did at Aiken or Florida at 50 degrees with the sun shining."

Humidity.

"•The mean relative humidity for the year at Asheville from observations of four years, 1876-1879, was 70.32 per cent., while the record at Davos, Switzerland, for 187G, according to Dr. Julius Hahn, was 75.05 per cent. Colorado Springs is dryer and would show a considerably lower relative humidity.

" Dr. Denison's Climatic Maps accentuate the fact that this region is the dryest in our eastern country. The mean rela­tive humidity at Asheville for the winter from observations of thirteen years, was 68 per cent., while that of Aiken, S. C., for two years only, for the winter was 63.64 per cent. No data at hand for the mean relative humidity for the year at Aiken.

Wind.

"I have no means at hand to obtain data in regard to the prevailing winds. There is considerable air movement which is not an advantage to any resort, but there is less wind than in Colorado or any mountain resort in America.

little resistance to the solar rays which are peculiarly genial.

"Dr. Gleitsmann, to whom we are indebted for the most reliable data on the climate of Asheville, writes: ' The tem­perature in winter (at Asheville) rises during mid-day, with few exceptions, to 50 degrees or over, and in sheltered places with southern exposure, where patients congregate, to 70 or 80 in the sun.

"' The greater number of days in winter have clear bright sunshine, and insolation being notoriously more powerful in the highlands than in the lowlands makes out-of-door life all the more pleasant. The beauty of these bright, cloud­less days, and their bracing and tonic influence on invalids, can only be realized by actual experience.' My own per­sonal observation corroborates the above figures and remarks.

The Merits of the Climate.

   "In regard to the merits of the climate, or the climato-therapy of the plateau, let us briefly sum up its advantages without bestowing indiscreet or overzealous praise. It is pre-eminently a suitable one for the early stages of pulmo­nary phthisis, especially for such subjects as cau and will get out in the air, and are determined to take benefit of the dry, tonic, invigorating, bracing qualities thereof — and keep good hours. Conditions which seem to favor germ propagation and prolong the species of the genus Bacterium do not exist here.

" Wounds heal kindly and operative procedures of the gravest character are rarely followed by septic infection.

"The mortality from pulmonary phthisis is not large in any part of North Carolina, being, according to the Mortal-

-ity Tables of the Tenth Census (1880), 13.4 for every 10,000 of population throughout the State. But it is interesting to note that the mountain counties show a mortality of only 10.6 in every 10,000 of population, as against 16.1 for every 10,000 of population of all the other counties of the State, in the aggregate; or in other words, in a State where pulmonary phthisis does not figure prominently in the mor­tality tables the death rate is still fifty per cent, less in the mountain section than in the other lower-lying portions of the State.

" Drs. Avery Segur and T. Mortimer Lloyd, of Brooklyn, made a visit to the plateau in Sept. 1886, afterward pub­lishing in the New York Medical Journal of April 9, 1887, a very interesting article under the caption ' Some Evidence Relating to Asheville and the Mountains of North Carolina in the Climatic Treatment of Phthisis.'

" These gentlemen were so well pleased, and so impressed by the apparent climatic advantages of the plateau in the treatment of phthisis, that they instituted a clinical inquiry into its merits ^: by addressing a circular letter and questions to nearly three hundred prominent physicians in the large cities,' many of whom had patients here. I can hardly do better than quote from the ' summary of replies ' as given in this excellent paper, viz.: ^; The general opinion is that spring (when mud is gone), summer and autumn months are the most favorable seasons, and that January and Feb­ruary are the most unfavorable months. It is generally agreed that prolonged residence is beneficial. Many recov­eries are reported. Dr. Gleitsmann gives a striking report of sixty-four cases decidedly improved of eighty-six cases of incipient phthisis. The answers indicate the lasting benefits of an Asheville residence. As would be anticipated

the improvement has been chiefly in the early stages, but some striking benefits were experienced in unpromising cases. * * * All the replies indicate that sleep is favored by this climate. * * * No malaria reported and the advantages of this region for its treatment indicated.

" Among other conditions indicating the advisability of a sojourn in this region maybe mentioned, asthma, hay fever, convalescence from malarial and other fevers (there are no lakes or swamps, and malaria is unknown), nervous prostra­tion and exhaustion from over-work or long-continued sum­mer heat; as also chronic congestions of the internal organs, by reason of diminished atmospheric density causing a determination of blood to the surface, hence the great bene­fit of altitude in incipient phthisis. Nervous energy and muscular vigor are usually increased, and the nutrition of the body and the condition of the blood improved by a sojourn at moderate elevation ; above 6,000 feet the appetite for food is diminished and the digestive organs frequently disordered, whereas a medium altitude usually increases the desire for food and quickens digestion. By reason of its medium altitude contra-indications to a residence upon the plateau are few, though organic disease of the heart where the circulation is much disturbed must not be lost sight of. Of course those who are in advanced phthisis and are too feeble to breathe the out-of-door air, and take some sort of out-of-door exercise, are better off at home with their friends, surrounded by comforts that cannot be supplied elsewhere."

The Belmont.

Location.

The Belmont is situated on a mountain plateau, in a natural grove of sixty-five acres, at an altitude of 2,500 feet. The West Asheville and Sulphur Springs Electric Railway extends from the hotel to the Union Depot, making trips every half hour, where it connects with the  Asheville city line. The scenery along this road is the most picturesque and enjoyable to be found in this vicinity. From 'The Belmont' the road follows the banks of the Hominy ; then climbs Strawberry Hill  and descends to the beautiful French Broad and winds along its banks to the junction of the two rivers, the French Broad and the Swannanoa. At this point the road crosses the French Broad over a substantial iron bridge and continues down the east bank of the river to the depot. 

Building.

The Hotel Belmont is an elegant new three story brick building (the only large brick hotel in Asheville), with every modern improvement, or a capacity for 250 guests. The location offers the most magnificent scenery from every window in the house, hence there are no undesirable rooms ...."

Appointments.

The building is heated by steam and open fires ; has an electric elevator and bells ; is lighted by gas, supplied with bath rooms, hot and cold water on each floor, perfect fire escapes, Miller chemical fire engines, etc. Telephonic communication exists with the depot and city. ...

The plumbing was laid under the supervision and direction of a physician, and every sanitary precaution has been observed for the health of the house. The dining room is observed for the health of the house. The dining room is large, bright, cheerful and tastefully furnished. The table will be maintained at the highest standard, both in service and cooking. The Belmont Dairy furnishes the richest milk, cream and butter. A first-class laundry is connected with the house. A well appointed livery stable is also provided.

Mineral Water.

At the Hotel Belmont, near the terminus of the West Asheville & Sulphur Springs Electric Railway, are..."

78                                               ASHEVILLE,   OR   SKY-LAND.

In addition to the mineral water the house is supplied from a soft, pure, living mountain spring, some three miles distant.

The effects produced differ with the person and his pre­vious physical condition. The tendency is to correct many forms of dyspepsia, including hepatic sluggishness, constipa­tion, catarrhal troubles and functional diseases of the kidneys. If, by the prescribed use of mineral water, a general derangement of the digestive and assimilative organs can be made to resume their normal functions, the cause of many incipient secondary troubles may be removed which, if neglected, may prove to become serious complica­tions.

Amusements.

Among the many sources of diversion and recreation may be mentioned a first-class orchestra in attendance during the summer and winter season. Six hundred acres of the finest hunting, reserved exclusively for the guests of the hotel, fishing (bass and trout), boating on the French Broad and Hominy, billiards and pool (parlors for both ladies and gentlemen), dancing, lawn tennis, croquet, target shooting, outdoor promenade over hill and dale, forest and field, together with driving and horseback riding.

The tourist, the pleasure or comfort-seeker, or those in search of health, will find "The Belmont " a delightfully .cool mountain home in mid-summer and in winter possess­ing all of the comforts of the most exquisite Northern hotel, combined with advantages and attractions of the most perfect climate in America.

There is a resident physician, whose services may be had at any time.

Pearson's Bridge. Leaving Battery Park and driving downa pleasant slope to the French Broad, you cross this river, over this magnificent bridge, the private property of Mr. Pearson, whose beautiful residence stands on the summit near.

Connolly's Ford. This is the most picturesque spot about two miles south of Asheville. To the west lies Mt. Pisgah, the Cold Mountains, and some of the highest peaks of the Balsams with the French Broad winding picturesquely through the valley.

Esmerelda's Cabin is simply a rock formation, resembling a cabin, upon the side of Bald Mountain. This is the scene of Mrs. Burnett's charming play, "Esmerelda." The Old Cabin Home presents the characteristics of the home of the negro in days of the past. This is rapidly being replaced by the neat cottage,as education and prosperity do their work. Lover's Leap overhands Asheville Turnpike a few yards from Silver Creek. There is a pathway to the top of Lover's Leap, but Lover's Leap Mountain rises 600 feet higher still. Scenery rugged and grand in the extreme.

Reems Creek Falls. These falls are on a bold mountain stream which flows into the French Broad river. A view of them well repays the tourist for the effort to see them. The road leading to them is one of great beauty.

Caesar's Head. This is the name of a delightful summer resort about 45 miles from Asheville. It consists of a bold rocky spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains from which is obtained a view of unsurpassed extent and beauty. Caesar's Head Hotel offers accommodations for about two hundred guests.  The owner has a part of the estate under cultivation but has wisely reserved a hundred acres of native forest containing a great variety of trees. There is also a mineral spring there which is regarded of great value.  The origin of its name is obscure. By some it is said that it was so named from a supposed likeness to the human face. Others tell us that a former owner had a dog named Caesar, and from the resemblance of the rock in profile to the head of a dog it received its name.

Paint Rock. A grand and massive granite rock, on which are seen indelible hieroglyphics, said to have been painted by the Indians, which have never been deciphered. This rock lies across the line dividing Tennessee and South Carolina. It is near Hot Springs and no tourist can afford to fail to visit this region, which needs a book for itself to do it justice.

Chimney Rocks are in the vicinity of Paint Rock. They tower 300 feet above the French Broad, their summits being inaccessible to human feet.