Biltmore Village facts for kids
Biltmore Village is a unique and historic area located entirely within the city of Asheville, North Carolina. It sits right next to the main entrance of the famous Biltmore Estate. This village was originally created by George W. Vanderbilt, who was part of the wealthy Vanderbilt family. He built it as a special "company town" for the people who worked at his huge estate.
George Vanderbilt wanted Biltmore Village to look and feel like a charming English country village. It had everything the workers needed, including a church (which is still the Cathedral of All Souls today), a hospital, shops, a school, and even a train station.
In the early 1900s, Biltmore Village became part of the city of Asheville. Today, it's a popular place with many different shops, restaurants, and businesses. It's a great spot to explore and learn about history!
Historic Floods: When Water Rose High
Biltmore Village has experienced some major floods over the years. These events show the power of nature and how communities can recover.
The Great Flood of 1916
In July 1916, a very big flood hit Biltmore Village. This event was part of what's known as the Great Flood of 1916. During this flood, water levels in the village reached as high as nine feet! It was a challenging time for the community.
Hurricane Helene in 2024
More recently, in September 2024, Biltmore Village faced another significant flood. This time, water from the Swannanoa River rose about six feet high because of Hurricane Helene. Even with modern defenses, powerful storms can still cause flooding in low-lying areas like parts of Biltmore Village.
