I went into downtown Asheville today and thought that I would take some pictures to share with the rest of you.This building is the Battery Park Apartments. It used to be the Battery Park Hotel back in the early days of the 20th century. During its glory days it was host to a parade of the rich and famous, including Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and Babe Ruth (who would come in so drunk that he had to be carried to bed).
It is now HUD subsidized housing for the elderly.
It is a fantasy of mine to buy it and turn it into luxury condominiums. I would, of course, keep the penthouse for myself. That would be the coolest address in town:
Battery Park Penthouse
1 Battle Square
Asheville, NC
This is the Grove Arcade, you can see the corner of it in the above picture.
It was one of the first shopping malls in the nation. It was taken over by the government and used as a federal building at one point. A couple of years ago it was renovated and opened again. The ground floor is shopping and restaurants and the upper floors are offices and condominiums.
Here is the interior of the Grove Arcade. If you look closely through the skylights you can see the Battery Park Building. When you are actually standing there you can see it much better.
This is the Flat Iron Building (of course). It was modeled after the Flat Iron Building in Manhattan.
Many people who live in or have been to New York City observe that downtown Asheville reminds them of Greenwich Village.
It might look like The Village, but it's still the South and you will run into Hillbillys.
What do you want to bet he's heavily armed?
This is Jack OF The Wood, my favorite hangout. It is the best venue for Celtic music in the region. They also brew some of the best beer in the world.
I'm especially fond of their brown ale.
This little park just down the street from Jack's is a favorite nesting place for moonbats.
These are dancing to trance music.
Note the various markings that they exhibit.
As you can see, some moonbats are easier on the eyes than others.
You can again see the different kinds of markings that they are to be found with.
Of course no gathering of moonbats would be complete without a cause for them to gather around.
This flock has chosen the ever popular Bonfires For Peace.
I hope you've enjoyed this brief tour of downtown Asheville. I'll post more photos later.
If you like this departure from the normal pattern of blogging about politics and such leave a comment and let me know.
It's a pretty city. Even the moonbats aren't as ugly as the ones I've known. Very interesting but there are no black people. Well, we don't have many blacks in my neck of the woods (0.4%) but I thought the South was 40% black. I was surprised. What gives?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this entry, too. Dan and I lived in NC at Swansboro 1988-1991. He was at Lejeune 1985-1991. We traveled thorough Asheville many times but never got to enjoy the place. It is really a very pretty city. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice pics, Lem.
ReplyDeleteWho knows, that dream may someday come true-I can just see you in the penthouse apt. of that beautiful old building,all comfy in a custom Laz-e Boy recliner,the lovely Paris massaging your feet and a glass of frosty ale at your elbow...
Thanks for the little mini-tour of your part of the universe!
I had forgotten about Paris. One way for a hillbilly to get rich is to marry money.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is that every time I see Paris she looks a little more disgusting.
I think I would need something a bit stronger than frosty ale.
Wow, it takes me back. I ran the streets around those buildings in the '30s and '40s. The people have changed at Pritchard Park. I miss the town. Maybe I'll come to the 55th reunion of Lee Edwards Class of '51 and drive around Montford Park and Broadway and reminisce.
ReplyDeleteI read this and other WNC blogs religiously. Also, I read the above commenter's Born Again Redneck blog daily. On my next trip to see the grandkids in Washington State I intend to swing up through the great state of Jefferson.
Here in Colorado, Boulder is called Boulder, California. I guess Asheville has become Asheville, California.
Horace in Aurora
Asheville, CA. There are others who say "Paris, NC".
ReplyDeleteThat's about the size of it. Back in the '80s some Hollywood studio was filming here and a bunch of the crew came into the pub where I was working. All of them were talking about how much Asheville reminded them of LA.
Patrick,
ReplyDeleteThere were some Black people around, but they looked normal so I didn't take their picture.
On a Saturday afternoon Pritchard Park will usually have a drum circle with about half the drummers being Black.
The drummers would probably put you in mind of San Francisco. People who have sworn not to bathe as long as Chimpy is in the White House.