Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Session 3.09 Poster Session
Presentation #1 Title
Asheville The Changing City
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Asheville the Changing City Asheville, North Carolina is one of the more unique areas in the southern Appalachians with a rich history dating back to the 1920s. Its whirling industry in the twenties was short lived due to the stock market crash in 1930. This ruined Asheville’s economy making it the most financially hit city in the country. Though many cities with similar debt issues tore down all of their buildings Asheville was one of the few cities to keep all of their original structures. The leaders of the city swore they would pay its debt, and by 1977 it was all paid. Looking at Asheville today you can still see some of the old houses and land marks that have been part of this city’s history for many years. Today Asheville has over 8,000 businesses with a growing population to match. It is amazing to think about everything this city has gone through and the potential it still has to grow. As the focus of my presentation I feel that Asheville, with a growing economy and bustling tourism industry dedicated to arts, crafts, and music, it is an example of how urbanization and growth can still work to preserve Appalachian history and culture.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
My name is Alex VanDusen and I am a senior at Mars Hill University. I am a biology major with a minor in regional studies. I have been coming to this conference for the past three years and have learned so much about our region. I not only love to study biology but history, music, and religion as well. I have always had so much fun at the conferences and I can't wait for this year.
Asheville The Changing City
MSC Lobby
Asheville the Changing City Asheville, North Carolina is one of the more unique areas in the southern Appalachians with a rich history dating back to the 1920s. Its whirling industry in the twenties was short lived due to the stock market crash in 1930. This ruined Asheville’s economy making it the most financially hit city in the country. Though many cities with similar debt issues tore down all of their buildings Asheville was one of the few cities to keep all of their original structures. The leaders of the city swore they would pay its debt, and by 1977 it was all paid. Looking at Asheville today you can still see some of the old houses and land marks that have been part of this city’s history for many years. Today Asheville has over 8,000 businesses with a growing population to match. It is amazing to think about everything this city has gone through and the potential it still has to grow. As the focus of my presentation I feel that Asheville, with a growing economy and bustling tourism industry dedicated to arts, crafts, and music, it is an example of how urbanization and growth can still work to preserve Appalachian history and culture.
