Geography 101: WNC, Swannanoa Valley, and the Black Mountain Range

Want to talk like a local? It’s all about geography here in the Swannanoa Valley.

Western North Carolina

The region depicted in the map above are the counties we refer to as Western North Carolina (WNC). Geographically speaking, our region consists of the mountainous areas west of Charlotte, NC all the way west to the Tennessee state line, as far north as the border with Virginia, and as far south as the South Carolina state line. The largest city in WNC is Asheville, which sits in the middle of Buncombe County. Black Mountain is also in Buncombe County.

Swannanoa River Valley

The Swannanoa River Valley is located in western North Carolina between Black Mountain and Asheville. The river flows through the valley from its headwaters in Black Mountain to its confluence with the French Broad River in Asheville’s Biltmore Village.

Black Mountain Range

The Black Mountain Range is the tallest range east of the Black Hills in South Dakota. Six of the ten highest peaks in the eastern United States are in the Black Mountain range including Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River (6,684 feet). The shadows of these mountains, which cast long over the valleys below, might be one reason for the name. The dense spruce fir forest of the ridge tops may be another.

Town of Black Mountain

Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center

Now that you have your bearings, be sure to check out the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center in Black Mountain! Their reflects the history of WNC through a focus on the life and times of the Swannanoa Valley.

Exhibits in the museum include photos and artifacts which depict the natural bounty of our valley as well and the lives of our early pioneers and their descendants. The museum sponsors numerous guided hikes and walks, heritage tours, and special programs and events of historical or environmental interest.

The museum is housed in the old Black Mountain firehouse building, which was built in 1921.

Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center
223 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711
828-669-9566
swannanoavalleymuseum.org
facebook.com/svmuseum

People of the Swannanoa Valley: A Ten-Second History Lesson

According to archaeological evidence, the Swannanoa Valley has been home to people for more than 12,000 years. Prior to the Revolutionary War, both Cherokee and Catawba claimed this valley as hunting grounds. European settlers began making permanent settlements in the late 1700s. The valley's population landscape was greatly changed in 1879 when the railroad arrived, and again by the development of religious retreats like Montreat.

Visit the Swannanoa Valley Museum to learn more of our stories.