History of Haw Creek Valley

Country in the City

Whether you are a visitor, new to the neighborhood, or a longtime resident you will agree that our Haw Creek community is special. Located in East Asheville, Haw Creek Valley is in the city but feels like it's in the country with several areas of pasture land.

Haw Creek was named for the native Black Haw shrub or small tree (Viburnum Prunifolium) that grew more abundantly years ago along the moist soils of the valley, especially along Haw Creek itself. You can still find the black haw growing and flowering today in isolated locations along Haw Creek and its tributaries.  

Haw Creek Valley’s southern boundary extends from US Highway 70/Tunnel Road at I-240 eastward along Tunnel Road to Maple Springs Road. Its west boundary is formed by Piney Mountain/Bear Mountain ridge; Town Mountain creates the northern boundary; and the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches along most of its eastern border.

Haw Creek has two main entrances with very narrow roads throughout the valley. It is one of the few communities that does not have through traffic to other areas of town, resulting in a quieter neighborhood than most. With vehicle access into and out of the valley available only on the south end, the community’s traffic is primarily residents.

With over 2,500 households, including affordable apartments, single family homes, townhomes and condos, Haw Creek has always been a very diverse neighborhood. While it is rural in character, it is within 15 minutes of the Asheville Mall, Blue Ridge Parkway, downtown Asheville and main highways, which makes Haw Creek a very desirable place to live.

The community has two schools (Haw Creek Elementary School and Evergreen Community Charter School), a new library, many churches, two large parks (Masters Park and Haw Creek Park), the East Asheville Rec Club, and a number of restaurants.

More history of the valley is available in a 1999 paper by Erin Fornoff linked below.

If you would like to contribute to the history of Haw Creek, we would love to hear from you. We are in search

of old photos and any information about the Haw Creek Valley. Please contact us at info@hawcreekavl.com.