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Description
The Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) is excited to announce a community partner Hike with a Historian program with Dr. Dan Pierce & the RAIL Memorial Project at Point Lookout Greenway (Ridgecrest/Black Mountain side) to learn about the making of the Western North Carolina Railroad and the Black laborers who built the railroad.
Historical Context & The RAIL Project:
Asheville's Boom: The Western North Carolina (WNC) Railroad line opened in 1879, connecting the isolated region and transforming Asheville from a small town of 2,600 into a thriving mountain hub.
The Incarcerated Laborers: The complex network of tracks and tunnels was built by more than 3,000 Black men forced into dangerous convict labor—many wrongfully or selectively arrested for petty offenses to supply cheap railway labor.
Restoring History: Long remembered only by a state marker and the folk song "Swannanoa Tunnel," these workers are now formally honored thanks to the RAIL Project, co-founded by hike leader Dan Pierce and Marion Mayor Steve Little. A memorial stands near Andrews Geyser to commemorate their sacrifice and lives lost.
Details:
When: Monday, September 28th
Time: 10 AM – 1 PM [est. end time]
Meet: 9:50 AM at RAIL Historical Marker |Corner of Old US 70 and Mill Creek Road. Parking at Ridgecrest Conference Center. Carpool to trailhead [approximately 1/2 mile away].
Hike Length/Difficulty: 3 Miles | Moderate | Paved Path
Scenery/Historical Waypoints: Panoramic views of Royal Gorge—a natural mountain pass historically used by Native Americans and early settlers—along the old US 70 corridor.
What to Bring: Water and snacks; closed-toed, sturdy shoes and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing; and bug spray and any needed medications.
Rain Date: In the event of inclement weather, participants will be notified in advance if the event is to be rescheduled. The alternate rain date will be rescheduled promptly.
Tickets:
AMoH Members | $35 [plus fees & taxes]
General Admission | $45 [plus fees & taxes]
We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available for each event. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able, please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Emergency Contact Form:
All registrants must fill out the waiver and emergency contact form in advance. Registrants will receive a waiver and emergency contact form soon after registering for the program.
Hike Leader/s:
This outing is led by Dr. Dan Pierce, retired UNCA Professor of History, and by Steven Nickollof, AMoH Director of Programs. Steven has an MA in American history and is interested in both Appalachian and environmental history. He is also Wilderness First Aid/CPR certified.
In 2020, Dr. Pierce co-founded the RAIL Memorial Project to better commemorate the lives and deaths of the incarcerated workers (90+ % African American) who built the railroad into Western North Carolina in the 1870s. RAIL has constructed three memorials since 2020 and has a continuing mission to educate the public on the hardships faced and sacrifices made by these, often unjustly incarcerated and largely forgotten, laborers. https://therailproject.org/
For questions, please contact Steven Nickollof at education@ashevillehistory.org
Date & Time
Mon, Sep 28, 2026 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Venue Details
Point Lookout Greenway (Ridgecrest/Black Mountain)
Black Mountain, North Carolina