Since its founding in 1797, Asheville has been a quiet, unassuming town. It remained largely untouched during the Civil War, with a population of only 2,500 people. It wasn’t until the 1920s that the city began to make a name for itself, becoming an oasis for big-city socialites and entrepreneurs looking to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the Appalachian air. This era saw a boom in Art Deco architecture in the city, with structures like the Jefferson Building, First Baptist Church, and the Asheville City Hall flooding the skylines with dazzling features.

Yet, even small towns have their secrets. Who would ever suspect that lurking within the walls of the city’s government building are those that linger from a bygone era?

Let us uncover those secrets and reveal the poor luster of what many consider to be one of the shining beacons of the city. But this is not the only secret that Asheville has tucked away. For those of you yearning for more spooks and scares, book our Asheville night-time walking ghost tour, Ashville Terrors.

Experience a different side of the city filled with the souls of bootleggers, outlaws, and debutantes from Asheville’s past haunting the streets of this historic mountain city. 

Why Is Asheville City Hall Haunted?

One could argue that the mountain air and picturesque scenery are enough for a spirit to remain longer after death, calling it an extended after-life vacation. But the truth is always more gruesome.

The stock market crash saw an end to the Roaring 20s, along with everyone’s fortune. For some, that’s enough to drive a man to end it all. And what better place than on top of the City Hall?

Fortress-Like Strength

That was the key phrase that dominated architecture Douglas Ellington’s mind when he designed the Asheville City Hall in 1926. His other creation, the First Baptist Church, was still in the midst of construction when City Hall’s construction began.

Using more than just strength to depict the City Hall, Ellington also utilized nature and history to make the municipal building truly one of a kind.

The specific materials and colors used to build the City Hall were deliberate, designed to match the pink hue of Asheville’s clay soil. The roof itself was designed to reflect the shape of the mountains that loom over the city.

Keen-eyed observers will be able to see sunlight glinting off the gold feathers that adorn the roof, referencing Asheville’s history with Native Americans. What remains the most impressive are murals inside the council chambers that depict stories of Native Americans and white settlers.

Compared to the original building, the City Hall was more like a palace than a fortress.

In 1889, the city authorized a $25,000 bond to have a municipal building constructed, tired of paying the mayor $25 a year to use his office. Once completed in 1892, it included a fire station, a police station, and even a market.

It was eventually torn down in 1926 to make way for the city’s new hall, the one seen today. It cost $750,000 to build.

But in this lavish fortress lies a tarnished crack, and the rise and fall of the 1920s bear a heavy burden. Some are willing to die than see their fortune gone, lost souls seeing no way out from their destitute.

And perhaps they are still lost to this very day.

Ghost of Asheville City Hall

The Ghost of Asheville City Hall

For years, there has been a long-standing legend of a spirit that wanders the corridors of Asheville City Hall.

Little is known about this spirit, but all agree that he used to be a businessman during the 1920s. Others say that he may have been the city’s financial manager, though that seems less than likely.

Regardless, he found himself in the City Hall when news of the stock market crash swept the nation. He became despaired at the thought of his assets and wealth being gone in an instant, so much so that he flung himself off the roof of the building to his death below.

It’s said he can be seen throughout the building, primarily in an area that used to house an old snack bar. Other rumors say that he often likes to make a ruckus of office spaces late into the night.

It looks as if this wandering spirit is having a ball, considering his situation. But one must wonder how much truth there is to the City Hall Ghost.

It’s not that this tale doesn’t sound believable, who hasn’t heard of haunted office buildings? Office cubicles are enough to suck the soul and life out of anyone.

The problem is that it is almost identical to the ghost story of the Jackson Building in Asheville, located just across from City Hall.

Jackson Building’s Ghosts

Jackson Building was built in 1924, just two years prior when City Hall began construction. At the time, it was the tallest skyscraper in Asheville, standing at a whopping 13 stories. It was believed that the spotlights on top of the building could be seen for 30 miles. In comparison, the Empire State Building was 102 stories when it was completed in 1931.

Ghost of Asheville City Hall
Copyright US Ghost Adventures

L.B. Jackon, a developer, commissioned the building to show his faith in the city’s real estate market.

Little did he know what was to come.

Here is where the ghost story begins to take shape. Because of the Jackson building’s importance and significance, many businessmen and financiers found themselves inside the building when the stock market crashed.

When they found out, many of them climbed up to the roof of the building and plummeted to their deaths.

Sound familiar?

There’s no way of knowing which story came first. Perhaps both took form simultaneously. Maybe only one is haunted. Maybe both are! It’s pretty scary to think both events happened on the same day.

Haunted Asheville

It’s ironic that the Asheville City Hall, built as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, would condemn a man who lost all of his wealth and prosperity. Both are now echoes of a past era. There are a lot more echoes to discover in Asheville. The best way is to book a tour with our haunted Asheville Ghost Tour Asheville Terrors.

Find more stories about haunted Asheville in our blog, and to stay updated with even more content, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

Sources:

https://wolfememorial.com/history/the-history-of-asheville

https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-take-your-own-ghost-tour-haunted-places-in-the-asheville-area/

https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/BN0001.pdf

https://www.exploreasheville.com/things-to-do/attractions/tours/walking/architecture-trail/asheville-city-building

https://psabc.org/an-art-deco-blend-ashevilles-city-hall/

https://www.southernspiritguide.org/ashevilles-haunted-five/

https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-take-your-own-ghost-tour-haunted-places-in-the-asheville-area/

https://www.exploreasheville.com/things-to-do/attractions/tours/walking/architecture-trail/jackson-building

https://www.exploreasheville.com/article/top-10-haunted-spots-asheville

Book A Asheville Terrors Tour And See For Yourself

From the Civil War’s Battle of Asheville to the sadness of the Biltmore Estate, this stunning mountain city boasts hauntings sure to keep you up at night.

Discover the twisted tales of a city steeped in mystery, tragedy, and pain. Join Asheville Terrors tonight and experience why Asheville is the South’s most surprising haunted destination!

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