Perched at the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Black Mountain thrives on tourism. Even before the town incorporated in 1893, visitors flocked to the area to seek respite from heat, insects, and illness—and many of those visitors stayed. Cool climes and dramatic mountain scenery continue to draw travelers and new residents alike, and Black Mountain's historic center caters to both.
Author Anne Chesky Smith directs the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, located in Black Mountain's 1921 firehouse, and the images in this book are from the museum's extensive archive.