Explore Asheville’s Historic Montford: Victorian Homes & Hidden Gems

Just a few blocks north of downtown, the Montford Historic District feels like stepping into another era. Tree-lined streets, magnificent Victorian homes, charming bed-and-breakfasts, and beautifully preserved architecture make this one of Asheville’s most picturesque neighborhoods. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Montford is home to more than 600 historic buildings, primarily dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“Asheville’s sweetest neighborhood” is one of the slogans for historic Montford in North Carolina. If you loved watching The Gilded Age on HBO, then you might want to check out this neighborhood as well as Asheville’s arts district, food scene, and the Grove Arcade.

Why I Love Montford

Of all Asheville’s neighborhoods, Montford is my favorite place to wander with a camera. Every block reveals another beautifully restored Victorian home, inviting front porch, or colorful garden. It’s a peaceful escape from downtown that rewards visitors who slow down and appreciate the neighborhood’s remarkable architecture.

I felt as if I traveled 130 years back in time when I explored Montford. Founded as an autonomous community in 1893, Montford is Asheville, NC’s most historic neighborhood. Many homes feature the hummingbird banners celebrating Montford’s history.

“The Montford Neighborhood consists of about 300 acres and retains more than six hundred structures representing a rich diversity of architectural styles, most constructed between 1890 and 1920 during Asheville’s emergence as the greatest city of the Southern Appalachians.”

www.Montford.org

Different Architectural Styles

One of the highlights of visiting Montford is admiring its remarkable variety of architectural styles. I saw Queen Anne, Victorian, Colonial Revival, Arts and Crafts, Neoclassical Revival, and Shingle Style homes. Many dated from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

I had to stop at nearly every home to admire the architectural detail. The Queen Anne-style houses include big porches with decorative wood trim, an asymmetrical front facade, and steep roofs with large dormers or cross gables.

I would not have been shocked to see a little girl wearing a long dress with petticoats rush out the front door cradling a doll.

National Register of Historic Places

Montford was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. And not too soon, as the wrecking ball had already torn down many houses, including the Coleman House at 36 Montford Avenue.

Thanks to the hard work of the Preservation Society, these grande belles in Montford were not all torn down to make room for undistinguished office buildings during the 1970s. They also learned a hard lesson from the Coleman House debacle. It was better to buy the historic house than to let a developer purchase it and then knock it down.

“Banking on its architectural past when many cities were busy razing downtowns in the name of urban renewal in the 1960s and 1970s, Asheville invested in its future as a visitor destination.”

Asheville Citizen-Times

Architect Richard Sharp Smith

Richard Sharp Smith is one of the main architects who designed multiple homes in Montford in 1900, including the Annie West House. He had also been the supervising architect for George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate. The appearance of the English architect in the late 19th century profoundly affected the city’s subsequent architectural development, according to Montford officials.

Smith’s signature style for his Montford multi-gabled homes featured half-timbering, pebbledash or stucco, heavy porch brackets, and diamond-pane windows.

“Several exemplary designs on Montford Avenue—including the Ottis Green House and Charles Jordan House, both ca. 1900—show Smith combining the pebbledash and half-timbered effects with other elements from the Craftsman and Colonial Revival styles.”

NC State University Libraries

Stumptown

According to the placards installed on Montford Avenue, African Americans were always part of the neighborhood. They lived in small streets like Short, Harrison, Ocala, and Young and in Stumptown. Some of these residents owned their own houses and were ministers, teachers, nurses, midwives, and business owners,” reported History at Hand: A People’s Collection.

“Montford is a snap shot of the period from 1890-1925. It was a trolley suburb for the well to do as well as a small African American community named Stumptown.”

Historian Sharon Fahrer

Sharon’s mission is to make history accessible through interpretive history panels in public spaces, walking tours, lectures, and exhibits. She has been doing this since 2002.

During my stroll through Montford, I also noticed signs at one house to “Please be curious! MontfordandStumptown.com. The fund’s slogan is: “Historical & Hopeful. Learning from the past and creating new futures.”

Black Walnut B&B

Located at 288 Montford Avenue, this historic home is featured in the new edition of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.” It is a Select Registry Property. There are six rooms in the main house and two brand new, pet-friendly suites in the restored carriage house.

The Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast Inn was designed and built by Sharp-Smith in 1899.

Alicia Wilson, the innkeeper, retired to Asheville after a career with a global chemical company. She purchased the inn in 2019. “I fell in love with Black Walnut and the Historic Montford District the first time I sat on our beautiful large front porch,” reported Wilson.

1900 Inn on Montford

This expansive Arts and Crafts style B&B allows you to slip back into turn-of-the-century life. “The Inn exemplifies the Arts and Crafts style made popular in Asheville by noted society architect Richard Sharp Smith, supervising Architect to Biltmore House,” according to the 1900 Inn on Montford’s website.

Take a nap on the wraparound porch at the 1900 Inn on Montford. Sip a cup of tea while nibbling on a homemade cookie. Blink an eye, and you almost can picture a horse and buggy arriving to drop off new hotel guests. There is even a pet-friendly suite.

The inn is furnished with English and American antiques dating from 1730 to 1910. It has a Four-Diamond rating and is a part of Select Registry.

Willy and Shawnie Gruber are the innkeepers at 1900 Montford Inn.

Lion & Rose B&B

The Lion and the Rose B&B is described as “a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District.” The inn promises manicured lawns, luxurious decor, and welcoming innkeepers who invite you in for an unforgettable stay at an exceptional value.

Built in 1898, this residence is located within walking distance to downtown Asheville. This house is a Queen Anne/Georgian-style inn that has been restored to its original splendor. It has earned the privilege of being the first stop on Asheville’s historic trolley tours.

The innkeepers, Steve and Karen, are affectionately known as Mr. and Mrs. Wild, for their love of wildlife and adventurous spirit. They have been fortunate enough to travel extensively and meet so many wonderful people along the way.

Arts & Crafts Bungalows

While Montford is home to many splendid estates, usually Queen Anne-style mansions, there are also many Arts & Crafts bungalows. They were built roughly between 1900 and 1929 (prior to the Great Depression.

These homes featured low-pitched, gabled roofs. There were wide overhanging eaves and decorative brackets (such as knee braces or corbels). Typically, there was a front or corner porch under the roofline, according to ArchitectureStyles.org.

“Generally, the Arts & Crafts movement was a reaction to the extravagant, machined, and mass-produced Victorian styles that in turn represented the Industrial Revolution.”

www.ArchitectureStyles.org

Since 1987, the Grove Park Inn in Asheville has hosted the National Arts & Crafts Conference. The Grove Park opened in 1913 and is considered one of the finest examples of historical Arts & Crafts architecture in the country.

Riverside Cemetery

The Riverside Cemetery was designed in 1885. The Victorian-style cemetery is the final resting place of Asheville’s most esteemed writers, including Thomas Wolfe. While disparaged after the publication of Look Homeward Angel, Wolfe became a beloved member of Asheville society in later years.

“Set on 87 shady acres, Riverside is a walk through Asheville’s past on smooth, paved trails, past over a dozen family mausoleums and impressive statuary.

“The cemetery is still active, with more than 13,000 people buried here, 9,000 monuments and 12 family mausoleums,” according to Montford.org.

Walking Tour

There is no better way to enjoy this historic neighborhood than to walk up and down the streets of Montford, as I learned with my Golden retriever (Parker).

If you do not have a dog, ask a neighbor if you can borrow their dog. Then proceed to sashay down Montford Avenue to admire the grand mansions of the early 20th century.

During high season, you can book Asheville by Foot’s walking tour of historic Montford. “As Asheville’s oldest organized neighborhood, Montford is a stunning collection of Victorian-era homes including the Queen Anne styles as well as English Cottage, Castleate, Craftsman, and Neoclassical.”

“Also learn about Riverside Cemetery, where some of Asheville’s most famous characters are laid to rest as well as Highland Hospital, a once-controversial mental health asylum where Zelda Fitzgerald was killed while a patient.”

Asheville by Foot Tours

FAQs

1. What is the Montford Historic District?

The Montford Historic District is one of Asheville’s oldest residential neighborhoods and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features more than 600 historic buildings, including beautifully preserved Victorian, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Arts and Crafts homes dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

2. Is the Montford neighborhood worth visiting?

Yes. Montford is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys historic architecture, quiet tree-lined streets, and self-guided walking tours. It’s a peaceful alternative to downtown Asheville and offers a glimpse into the city’s rich architectural heritage.

3. Can you walk from downtown Asheville to Montford?

Yes. The Montford Historic District is about a 10- to 15-minute walk from downtown Asheville, making it easy to combine both areas in one day. Many visitors explore downtown before strolling through Montford’s historic streets.

4. What architectural styles will I see in Montford?

Montford is known for its remarkable variety of architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Victorian, Colonial Revival, Arts and Crafts, Neoclassical Revival, and Shingle Style homes. The neighborhood is considered one of North Carolina’s finest collections of late 19th- and early 20th-century residential architecture.

5. Where should I stay in Montford?

Montford is home to several elegant bed-and-breakfast inns housed in restored historic mansions. Staying in the neighborhood allows visitors to experience Asheville’s historic charm while remaining within walking distance of downtown restaurants, shops, and attractions.

Explore More in Western North Carolina

If you have extra time, these nearby destinations make excellent day trips or weekend getaways in western North Carolina.

Biltmore Estate

Tour America’s largest privately owned home, stroll its magnificent gardens, and sample wines at Antler Hill Village.

➡️ Read: Your Biltmore Estate guide & Biltmore House Interiors Tour

Biltmore Gardens

Explore Frederick Law Olmsted’s spectacular gardens, which are beautiful in every season.

➡️ Read: Guide to Biltmore Gardens

Biltmore Village

Browse historic cottages, boutique shops, restaurants, and galleries in this charming neighborhood just outside the estate.

➡️ Read: Guide to Biltmore Village

Black Mountain

Discover one of North Carolina’s most welcoming mountain towns, known for its art galleries, local shops, and scenic hiking.

➡️ Read: Best Things to Do in Black Mountain

Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center

Learn about the legendary experimental college that influenced generations of artists, architects, writers, and musicians through fascinating exhibits and programs.

➡️ Read: Guide to Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center

Blue Ridge Parkway

Drive one of America’s most scenic roads, stopping at overlooks, waterfalls, hiking trails, and panoramic mountain vistas along the way.

➡️ Read: Blue Ridge Parkway Guide

Chimney Rock State Park

Climb to spectacular overlooks, hike scenic trails, and enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in western North Carolina.

➡️ Read: Chimney Rock: Stairway to Bliss

Hendersonville

Walk a vibrant Main Street filled with public art, historic architecture, and locally owned restaurants and boutiques.

➡️ Read: Best Things to Do in Hendersonville

Saluda

Visit one of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ oldest railroad towns, where you’ll find charming shops, hiking trails, and a beautifully preserved historic downtown.

➡️ Read: Best Things to Do in Saluda

Final Thoughts

The Montford Historic District is one of Asheville’s most rewarding neighborhoods to explore on foot. From grand Victorian homes and elegant bed-and-breakfast inns to tree-lined streets and remarkable architectural details, every block tells the story of Asheville’s rich history and creative spirit. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a peaceful escape from the busy downtown area, Montford offers a memorable glimpse into one of North Carolina’s most beautiful historic neighborhoods.

If you’re planning a western North Carolina getaway, I highly recommend pairing your visit to Montford with a trip to downtown Asheville, the Biltmore Estate, and nearby mountain towns like Black Mountain, Hendersonville, Saluda, and Chimney Rock. Together, they showcase the history, culture, and natural beauty that make this corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains such a special place to explore.

This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Asheville.