Pack Square Park is a public space in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. The park was officially opened in 2010. However, the land has served as a community gathering place for centuries. Its history includes connections to indigenous peoples, early European settlers, and the city’s development.
Before Asheville was founded, the land belonged to the Cherokee people, known as ᏣᎳᎩ (Anigiduwagi). The Cherokee built towns and villages in the area. They created meeting places, hunting grounds, and recreational courts. Their network of trails later influenced the city’s roads and highways.
The area changed in the late 18th century after the American Revolution. In 1787, Major William Davidson received a land grant in the Swannanoa Valley. He helped establish Buncombe County. The first courthouse, prison, and stockyards were built on the site in 1793. The area around these buildings was kept open to protect the courthouse from fire. Over time, the square was called Court Square, Public Square, and Market Square, showing its role in commerce and government…