Drive through the gates of Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, and it doesn’t take long to understand why millions of visitors have been captivated by the property. At the heart of the sprawling estate is Biltmore House, a 250-room French Renaissance château surrounded by gardens, forests, and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Today, Biltmore is known as America’s largest home, but its story began more than 130 years ago with a young George Vanderbilt, an inherited fortune, and a trip to the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Where Did George Vanderbilt’s Fortune Come From?
George Vanderbilt was born into one of America’s wealthiest families. His grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt, built the family’s enormous fortune through shipping and railroads. George’s father, William Henry Vanderbilt, inherited much of that fortune and expanded it substantially before he died in 1885.
“George Vanderbilt inherited his considerable wealth from his father, William Henry Vanderbilt, and his grandfather, Cornelius ‘The Commodore’ Vanderbilt,” said Meghan Forest-Singer, associate curator at Biltmore Estate…