Swannanoa, Woodfin and Black Mountain North Carolina

So, Today would have been my Dad's 85th Birthday/He was born in the year of the Ox. He died in 1987, age 62,of CHF.

I am Grateful to my Dad, who lead a Tumultuous Life, but ended it as a grateful,compassionate,peaceful yet somewhat Sad Man. My Father Burned Off his Karma,in his own Life Time, he needed too,as between his being Bipolar and an Alcoholic, his Wife and Children Suffered. I am Grateful,However. I am Grateful to my Father ,whose Genes I carry. Who Gave me an Enduring Love of Family and of the Spiritual Life, both kinds of Spirits! I am Grateful for his giving me a Love of Learning and the ability to Work Incessantly for my Family. I am Grateful for the Value to Protect Family Friends and Others. I am Grateful that I only copied a few of his Faults, and most of his Virtues. Though there was emotional Carnage to Clean Up, and Given to me, Bill Swann Sr, ended his Life , a Compassionate Dragon,.


CHF is congestive heart failure,but he also had diabetes, Hypertension,alcoholism,and was Bipolar.Dad, known as "Buster" to his brothers and one Sister, and Mom,lead a complex life. His Mother was Betty Mae Jump, married to Lottie Swann, his father who left when he was ?5?, came back when he was 12 or much later/ My Dad got his nickname from haivng had been jumped on while litle,and playing causing a Hernia to"Bust" out. It was repaired when he was 12. He and his brother Charlie would run "Moon Shine" up and around "Black Mountain"
"Bill Sr", was in the CC camps, a Merchant Marine is WWII and a soldier for less than a year in the Korean Conflict,married my Mom,Rose Marion Johnson, when I was 3. He had 3 children over a decade with his 1st wife, Laura Thomas, divorced her, and married my Mom, when I was 3, but retained custody of my 2 step sisters, and one step brother. Rose had 4 more girls. Of all , myself , my eldest step sister, and my 2 youngest sisters still are alive and kickin./



My dad was Scotch/Irish/English and Cherokee/ my Mom Rose, was German and Swedish.
Laura was French/Scotch English ,not sure if she was Cherokee.

I always though Swann was an English Name, perhaps our lineage is of the Swann,which is an old VIking name, however, I am wondering now, if our name really comes from the Indian/Cherwah /Cherokee Suwa’li-nunnohi, whci later was anglicized to Swannanoa. Below is a bit of that history, Our History,Well, that is another Story.


Swannanoa is a census-designated place (CDP) in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,526 in 2007. The community is named for the Swannanoa River, which flows through the settlement. The Swannanoa River joins the French Broad at Asheville, North Carolina. The Cheraw Indians lived east of the Cherokee until they were obliged to join the Catawba people early in the 18th Century. Their name for themselves must have been something like “Suwala,” because de Soto called them Xuala and, to the Cherokee, they were Ani-Suwali ["they are Suwali"]. The Cherokee name for the route from the mountains to the Cheraw country was Suwa’li-nunnohi ["Suwali path"]. In English pronunciation, that became Swannanoa and was applied to the river and the mountains just east of Asheville. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Swannanoa is approximately located between Asheville and Black Mountain. I-40 passes through the main commercial area of Swannanoa, which is focused around Ingles supermarket and gas station. The old commercial area sits beside an empty lot where the old Beacon Blankets plant once sat. The Beacon Plant was the epicenter of the Swannanoa community, built by the late Charles D. Owen,Sr.

Swannanoa is located at 35°36′17″N 82°23′17″W / 35.60472°N 82.38806°W / 35.60472; -82.38806 (35.604808, -82.387921).[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km2), of which, 6.4 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.62%) is water.
About Our Town
Black Mountain was originally known as Grey Eagle to the Cherokee and Catawba Native Americans who lived and hunted here in great numbers. Early settlers of the area were lured by the adventure and rugged beauty of the surrounding mountains.

The Town of Black Mountain was founded in 1893. It was named for the Black Mountain range of mountains that border the Town to the north. At the time of incorporation, the Town of Black Mountain had become a major pathway for westbound immigrants, commercial trade, and the mountain railroad. This strategic location helped establish Black Mountain as one of the most prosperous and picturesque communities in the country.

Spectacular views have welcomed Black Mountain residents and visitors for over 109 years as they step from the quaint shops, prosperous businesses, and friendly neighborhoods into the great outdoors that serves as the centerpiece for a visual feast that continues to draw so many to this lovely valley. Black Mountain’s friendly character and graceful setting have long lured botanists, hikers, travelers, and others seeking to commune with the great outdoors. However, the magnificence of the mountains has drawn more than just those seeking to enjoy this graceful natural bounty. Our historic downtown shopping district, vital service sector and clean industry, all serve to attract fine people of every age and profession with backgrounds and interests as varied as the mountainous landscape that surrounds the Town. This special mixture of people and talent has created a lively community with varied assets and lifestyles