ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville has completed debris removal at Riverside Cemetery as part of the ongoing restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene.
Riverside Cemetery will return to its regular hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, beginning Monday, Aug. 18.
City staff will continue to keep an eye on Riverside, providing additional restoration as needed, such as replanting grass in places where there were rootball disturbances.
Restoring Riverside
“We are grateful for the community’s patience and understanding during this final phase of debris removal, which began on July 22 and involved careful removal to protect gravesites and ensure safety,” wrote Jessica Hughes, city communications specialist, in a press release.
“Completing this work marks a critical milestone in restoring one of Asheville’s historic and culturally significant spaces,” added Asheville Parks & Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt. “We appreciate the community’s patience and support as we worked to preserve this landmark for generations to come.”
For more information about visiting Riverside Cemetery, visit www.ashevillenc.gov/locations/riverside-cemetery.
Want to learn about those buried at Riverside Cemetery? Check out our Tombstone Tales series.
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Tombstone Tales: Before the Science Guy, there was Bill Nye the Humorist
Before there was “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” another Bill Nye made America laugh. Edgar Wilson Nye, a 19th-century humorist and journalist, found his final resting place in Fletcher. His memorial and grave at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard still draw visitors curious about the man once known as “Bill Nye the Humorist.”
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Tombstone Tales: The 1911 Asheville Murder Story Behind a Riverside Cemetery Grave
A simple grave in Riverside Cemetery marks the tragic story of Allen “Buck” Trivette. In 1911, the young Asheville man was shot by his uncle, Pitt Ballew, during a family quarrel that led to trial in Buncombe County.
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Tombstone Tales: The wreck on Saluda Mountain that changed rail safety
In 1890, engineer Lewis Tunstall was killed when his train careened down the Saluda Grade at 75 miles an hour. The wreck led to the creation of safety switches that saved countless lives. Today, Tunstall is remembered not only for his sacrifice but also by a striking monument in Hendersonville’s Oakdale Cemetery.
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Tombstone Tales: Dr. George W. Fletcher, the mountain doctor who helped build a town
Dr. George Washington Fletcher helped shape the community that now bears his name and is buried at Calvary Episcopal Church Cemetery in Fletcher, North Carolina
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Tombstone Tales: Kenneth Noland, Asheville’s master of color and form
Explore the life and legacy of Asheville native Kenneth Noland, a pioneer of abstract art, and the story behind his walk-in mausoleum in Riverside Cemetery.
