While in Ashland NC we toured the Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt. George’s dad, Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt started the family business by borrowing $100 from his mother and piloting a passenger boat on Staten Island in 1810. He expanded into steamboats and then went on to build railroad empire New York Central.

Biltmore was the first professionally managed forest in the U.S; it was also the site of the Biltmore School of Forestry, the first such school in North America.  Construction of the house began in 1889. In order to facilitate such a large project, a woodworking factory and brick kiln, which produced 32,000 bricks a day, were built onsite, and a three-mile railroad spur was constructed to bring materials to the building site. Construction on the main house required the labor of about 1,000 workers and 60 stonemasons.

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Entry gate and exterior

Parlor and first veranda view

Very rare, very old, statues of the 12 apostles

Library and adjacent room

Over looking the Blue Ridge Mountains

Main staircase leading to guest rooms

The Necessarium

Fitness Center

Communications center, elevator, laundry room, and kitchen

Billiard room and main dinning area

Path to the gardens

The gardens and greenhouse