Biltmore Village
Encyclopedia
Biltmore Village, formerly Best, is a small village that is now entirely in the city limits of Asheville, North Carolina
. It is adjacent to the main entrance of the Biltmore Estate
, built by George W. Vanderbilt, one of the heirs to the Vanderbilt family
fortune. Once known as the town of Best, George Vanderbilt created this village as a "company town" for the estate workers. The community was planned and designed to reflect the qualities of an English country village. The village had its own church, which is still in operation today as the Cathedral of All Souls
, an Episcopal cathedral
. The village also had a hospital, shops, a school, a railroad depot, and other services available. Biltmore Village was incorporated into the City of Asheville in the early 20th century. Biltmore Village is a commercial district that has an eclectic collection of shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
. It is adjacent to the main entrance of the Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate
Biltmore House is a Châteauesque-styled mansion near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. It is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, at and featuring 250 rooms...
, built by George W. Vanderbilt, one of the heirs to the Vanderbilt family
Vanderbilt family
The Vanderbilt family is an American family of Dutch origin prominent during the Gilded Age. It started off with the shipping and railroad empires of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and expanded into various other areas of industry and philanthropy...
fortune. Once known as the town of Best, George Vanderbilt created this village as a "company town" for the estate workers. The community was planned and designed to reflect the qualities of an English country village. The village had its own church, which is still in operation today as the Cathedral of All Souls
Cathedral of All Souls
The Cathedral of All Souls, also referred to as All Souls Cathedral, is an Episcopal cathedral located in Asheville, North Carolina, United States of America....
, an Episcopal cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
. The village also had a hospital, shops, a school, a railroad depot, and other services available. Biltmore Village was incorporated into the City of Asheville in the early 20th century. Biltmore Village is a commercial district that has an eclectic collection of shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
External links
- Biltmore Village Historic Museum
- Historic Biltmore Village
- Biltmore Estate
- City of Asheville, North Carolina-Official Website
- All Souls Cathedral
- City Guide to Asheville
- Current Asheville, NC Information - Maps, Photos, History & Much More
- Asheville, North Carolina, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary