Historic Main St. … Oakdale Cemetery … 7th Ave. Train Depot District … and — new this year — Murals, Mosaic, and Ghost Signs
Take a 90-plus minute walk along Historic Main Street to learn about Hendersonville’s history and architecture and hear fascinating stories of the past. Or, see the Look Homeward Angel grave marker, the inspiration for Thomas Wolfe’s novel, and hear lively stories about former colorful residents while strolling through Oakdale, Hendersonville’s municipal cemetery. Or, stroll along 7th Avenue/Historic Depot District, where the action was when the first steam engine locomotives rolled into town starting in 1879 bringing hundreds of tourists. Or, join the newest walk — Murals, Mosaic, and Ghost Signs.
2022 Guided History Walks
Four Choices! Main Street, Hendersonville, N.C. …
Historic Oakdale Cemetery … 7th Ave./Historic Depot District … and, new this year:
Murals, Mosaic, and Ghost Signs
Walk on Historic Main Street
10 a.m. — Fri., June 3; Sat., July 2 and 30; Sun. October 2 and 30
Be charmed and informed by Hendersonville’s history, architecture, and colorful stories. Learn how the town got its name, who donated the land, the old Opera House, bordellos, the oldest block of buildings, amazing fires, trolley lines … and more. These 90-plus minute walks occur rain or shine. Please make a reservation.
Meeting Place: Hendersonville City Hall, front steps (at corner of 5th Ave. E. and King St.)
In Historic Oakdale Cemetery
10 a.m. — Fri., June 10; Sat., July 9; Sun., October 9; Fri., November 4
Join me along the pathways of Hendersonville’s Historic Oakdale Cemetery where the famous “Look Homeward Angel” statue is located. Among quiet, artistic grave markers discover Hendersonville’s buried past through lively stories of its Black cemetery, white cemetery (segregated in the old days), and Jewish cemetery residents and other noteworthy citizens. These 90-plus minute walks occur rain or shine. Please make a reservation.
Meeting Place: at the Cemetery, U.S. 64 W. at Valley St.
7th Ave./Historic Train Depot District
10 a.m. — Fri., June 17; Sat., July 16; Sun., October 16; Fri., November. 11
The district surrounding the historic Railroad Depot was where it was happening in the Gilded Age of Hendersonville from 1879, when the first steam locomotive arrived with hundreds of tourists daily, till the Crash of 1929 … learn about the drays, the hustle, the inns, the summer visitors, the shoot-outs, growth of agriculture, and popular candy stores. These 90-plus minute walks occur rain or shine. Please make a reservation.
Meeting Place: Hendersonville City Hall, front steps (at corner of 5th Ave. E. and King St.)
Murals, Mosaic, and Ghost Signs
10 a.m. — Fri., June 24; Sat., July 23; Sun., October 23; Fri., November 18
Learn about the stories and artists behind more than 6 murals (including 3 restored Coca-Cola signs), a mosaic created by Russian immigrant artists with 250,000 pieces of glass, and numerous ghost signs (old and faded hand-painted advertising signs on the exterior walls of buildings) still barely hiding in plain sight. All in downtown. These 90-plus minute walks occur rain or shine. Please make a reservation.
Meeting Place: in front of Historic Courthouse on Main Street
All tours: $10 per person
age 10 and over. Children under 10 yrs. free with paying adult.
Schedule a private tour anytime for your group.
Reservations/information: 828-545-3179