.jpg)
For many, a major draw of living in Swannanoa is the natural beauty that comes with living in the Valley with its river views, its pastoral settings near Warren Wilson College, and more high-elevation real estate in settings such as High Hickory. In addition to its convenience to neighboring Asheville and Black Mountain, Swannanoa also tends to be slightly more affordable than its neighboring towns.
The History of Swannanoa and the Swannanoa Valley
Appropriately derived from the Cherokee word that means “beautiful river,” Swannanoa was settled in the late 1700s and first established as a farming community. The fertile valley was developed along the contours of the Swannanoa River. In the 1920s, the largest blanket manufacturer in the world (at the time), Beacon Manufacturing Company, was established and was the primary employer for the Swannanoa community, and was at its strongest from the 1940s until the 1960s.
Employee housing was built around the mill – the area known as Beacon Village, with a variety of single-family homes and duplexes. Across the river, the neighborhood of Grovemont was established by architect mastermind E.W. Grove, who designed the iconic Grove Park Inn. Grovemont was one of the first planned communities in the United States and home to many executives who worked at Beacon Manufacturing Company. In time, Beacon saw its decline, and Swannanoa’s population became more dependent on other sources for economic growth.
Outdoor Living and Hiking in Swannanoa, NC
Access to an outdoor-oriented lifestyle is an attractive element of life in Swannanoa. Grovemont Park has a greenspace area, a kids’ playground, a gazebo, and a picnic area which all front the Swannanoa Library. Charles D. Owen Park, which includes a 1-mile walking trail, kids' playground, softball and baseball fields, a basketball court, and a connecting trail to Warren Wilson’s river trail, is located in the heart of Swannanoa near the Bee Tree neighborhood. Speaking of Warren Wilson College, the school offers public access to a web of beautiful trail systems, including the Dam Pasture Trail, River Trail, and the Jones Mountain Trail, all of which meander through woodlands and alongside the Swannanoa River.
Swannanoa's Ease of Access to Blue Ridge Parkway, Folk Art Center
Swannanoa is also a 10-minute drive to the closest Blue Ridge Parkway access in East Asheville, opening the door to numerous other hiking and biking opportunities. The Folk Art Center, located at mile marker 382 (near the Swannanoa/East Asheville Parkway entry), serves as a Visitor Center and also houses the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s craft shop, art exhibitions, galleries, and visitor information for the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Southern Highland Craft Guild, the second-oldest craft organization in America, has been crucial in preserving and promoting Appalachian crafts and bolstering Asheville’s reputation as an art mecca. The Folk Art Center, where the SHCG operates, also offers convenient access to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail directly from the parking area.
Swannanoa Restaurants and Breweries
Terra Nova Beer Company, located in the heart of downtown Swannanoa, directly across from Beacon Village, serves up a variety of tasty brews and bar food in their 
trendy, renovated taproom. Down the road, Okie Dokie’s Smokehouse serves up slow-cooked BBQ and coveted home-cooked sides. Good Company Pizza cooks up some tasty slices to meet all of your pizza cravings. Towards Black Mountain, Oak and Grist Distilling Company is a great spot for a cocktail in a laid-back industrial space. The distillery has plenty of space for lawn games and a hammock stand to lounge. Pisgah Brewing Company’s new taproom is also located on the Swannanoa side of Black Mountain and offers a variety of delicious organic beers and routinely welcomes live music acts that are sure to delight visitors.
Swannanoa Homes for Sale & Real Estate
.jpg)
In terms of established neighborhoods, interested buyers will want to check out communities like Grovemont, Bee Tree Village, and Beacon Village. For higher elevation luxury homes, High Hickory is located right off exit 59 and has a number of lots and homes available for sale. Just down the road in the Riceville area, neighboring Warren Wilson College, Sovereign Oaks is another popular luxury community. Swannanoa is an ideal place to lay down roots for those in search of a close-knit community with unparalleled convenience! Contact our Asheville realtors to learn more about Swannanoa homes for sale or any other Asheville real estate.