Asheville
Urban Trail

Location #17 - Woodfin House

Woodfin House
 
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A ceramic replica of the Woodfin House honors Nicholas Woodfin, prominent lawyer and farmer, who built the place for his wife, Eliza Grace McDowell, in 1840.  This rambling frame home, with its eight pillars, stood its ground (across the street) for 130 years, straight through Thomas Wolfe's short life (1900-1938).  It became a tuberculosis clinic and, from the 20's to the 60's, Asheville's YMCA. (Rendering created by ceramic artist Elma Johnson.)

Urban Trail Locations

Wolfe's Neighborhood

You can vault time zones by standing in the indicated footsteps, large enough for Thomas Wolfe's large shoes.

Dixieland

A bronze version of Wolfe’s shoes draws attention to his mother’s boarding house, Old Kentucky Home.

Curtain Calls

Abstract metal sculptures wrangle to earth the myriad of emotions portrayed on stage in the long history of Asheville…

On the Move

A silvery, art-in-motion sculpture, detailed with Art Deco stampings, honors the evolution of transportation in…

Civic Pride

A bell very close in shape to this one once rung out at important times in Asheville's original City Hall.

Man and Mountain

A bronze plaque pays homage to the mountains with a nod towards Beaucatcher Road.

Time Remembered

This grass-surrounded marker reveals that there’s a time capsule buried underneath.

Ellington's Dream

This granite etching renders Douglas Ellington’s original working concept of two art deco buildings of government.

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