Asheville Reporter

Richmond Hill Park, now a beloved green space for Asheville residents, underwent a significant transformation driven by community advocacy and bond funding. Initially, the park faced years of debate before becoming the expansive natural area it is today.

Richmond Pearson, a multifaceted figure in North Carolina's history, played an integral role in Asheville's development. Born in 1852 into a prominent family, Pearson had a varied career as a lawyer, legislator, diplomat, and developer. After studying at Princeton University and under his father Richard Mumford Pearson, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, he served as consul in Belgium from 1874 to 1877.

Pearson later returned to North Carolina to represent Buncombe County in the state Assembly and House of Representatives. He married Gabriell Thomas in 1882 and they had four children. Recognizing Asheville’s potential post-railroad arrival, he bought out his siblings' shares of their father's Richmond Hill estate and built a grand Queen Anne-style home. He collaborated with other business leaders to develop Montford and promoted land development on his property through events like the Fourth of July celebration in 1890.

Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Pearson later held diplomatic posts under President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1909, he retired from diplomacy to focus on his law practice until his death in 1923.

In 1919, part of the Richmond Hill estate was sold to Asheville for public park use but remained undeveloped due to municipal debt following bank failures and the Great Depression. The mansion became a museum in 1951 before being sold to North Carolina Baptist Homes with preservation stipulations.

The Preservation Society moved the mansion onto adjacent land before it was eventually transformed into a boutique hotel with cottages. A fire destroyed this landmark in 2009; today, OM Sanctuary operates on the remaining grounds.

Housing development near future Richmond Hill Park began in the 1950s with Kavanagh-Smith building homes around Richmond Hill Drive by 1962. Discussions about turning part of the area into a municipal golf course dominated local discourse for years but never materialized due to financial constraints.

In 1995, City Council debated creating either a youth sports complex or selling land for office parks. Ultimately prioritizing smaller projects and greenways led to renewed interest in developing Richmond Hill Park by community members who cleared trails initially made for carriages.

APR developed trails for mountain biking and disc golf while coordinating with UNC Asheville’s cycling club on trail maintenance. The National Guard's move approved construction including public amenities within park grounds but later plans shifted towards maintaining natural areas except for armory facilities.

By 2007, Richmond Hill Park reopened with environmentally responsible designs including relocated disc golf courses and new entry roads funded by $17 million GO bonds approved by voters in 2016 earmarked $520K for improvements such as restrooms and picnic areas enhancing greenspace connectivity throughout parks citywide.

The ongoing evolution reflects Asheville’s dynamic spirit combining historical legacy with modern recreational needs ensuring spaces like Richmond Hill Park remain cherished urban oases shaped collectively by its community.

Do you have photos or stories about Richmond Hill Park? Send them to cbubenik@ashevillenc.gov so APR can be inspired by past memories as they plan future developments.

Photo Credits:

Lithograph reproduction titled “French Broad from Richmond Hill,” published by Chisholm Brothers (1883-1884). Portraits courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections.

Photo postcard showing Richmond Hill Inn (late 1990s) donated by Sharon Fahrer.

Ad from April 7, 1963 edition of Asheville Citizen-Times.

Article from March 12, 1998 edition of Asheville Citizen-Times.

PSORBA volunteers have expanded access since opening.