Top 5 sites to see at Riverside Cemetery

James H. Posey was a captain for the Union in the American Civil War. It is believed that midway through the war, he was chosen to serve as a personal bodyguard to President Abraham Lincoln. Following the war, Posey retired from military service before settling in Asheville, NC, in search of better health. In 1917, Posey passed away from injuries sustained in an accident likely caused by his failing eyesight.William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was an American writer of short stories. Among his best known stories are “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Ransom of Red Chief.” After a successful writing career in New York City, Porter turned to heavy drinking. In 1908, his health began to deteriorate rapidly. Porter passed away in 1910, and following services in New York City, was laid to rest in his native North Carolina.George Masa was born Masahara Izuka in Osaka, Japan, in 1881. After his arrival in the United States, he settled in Asheville, NC, working at the historic Grove Park Inn as a bellhop and a valet. In 1919, he followed his true passion and became a professional photographer capturing images of the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Along with his good friend Horace Kephart, he worked to encourage the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One year after his death in 1933, the national park was officially chartered by the United States Congress.View the list »
Riverside Cemetery - Asheville, NC

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The 87-acre Riverside Cemetery, located in the Montford Historic District of Asheville, NC, offers much to explore for the history enthusiast. Established in 1885, the cemetery is the final resting place for over 13,000 individuals. It is also home to more than 9,000 monuments and numerous family mausoleums.

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Located just two hours from Charlotte, Riverside Cemetery is a great day trip for anyone interested in local history. The cemetery is the burial place for several notable North Carolina citizens. For those with limited time who are interested in touring the cemetery, there are five sites which are a must-see.

Riverside Cemetery
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  • George Masa was born Masahara Izuka in Osaka, Japan, in 1881. After his arrival in the United States, he settled in Asheville, NC, working at the historic Grove Park Inn as a bellhop and a valet. In 1919, he followed his true passion and became a professional photographer capturing images of the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Along with his good friend Horace Kephart, he worked to encourage the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One year after his death in 1933, the national park was officially chartered by the United States Congress.
  • William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was an American writer of short stories. Among his best known stories are “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Ransom of Red Chief.” After a successful writing career in New York City, Porter turned to heavy drinking. In 1908, his health began to deteriorate rapidly. Porter passed away in 1910, and following services in New York City, was laid to rest in his native North Carolina.
  • James H. Posey was a captain for the Union in the American Civil War. It is believed that midway through the war, he was chosen to serve as a personal bodyguard to President Abraham Lincoln. Following the war, Posey retired from military service before settling in Asheville, NC, in search of better health. In 1917, Posey passed away from injuries sustained in an accident likely caused by his failing eyesight.
  • Zebulon Baird Vance, a native of Buncombe County, North Carolina, served the Confederacy in the American Civil War prior to becoming North Carolina’s 37th and 43rd governor. Following the war, Vance practiced law for a period in Charlotte, North Carolina, before being elected to his second stint as governor. In 1879, he was chosen to serve in the United States Senate and remained in that office until his death in 1894.
  • Thomas Wolfe, born in Asheville, North Carolina, was an American novelist. Among his best known works is the autobiographical Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe left Asheville when he was 15 years old to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He later received his Master’s degree from Harvard. After spending several years traveling throughout Europe, Wolfe returned to Asheville for a visit in 1937. In 1938, after battling tuberculosis, Wolfe passed away and was laid to rest alongside his parents and siblings in Asheville.
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, Charlotte Historic Destinations Examiner

Dusty Marie Wagner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. A North Carolinian by birth, she is passionate about all things related to Tar Heel history. From the coastal regions to the grand mountain vistas, she has explored it all. Having...

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