Even though Asheville is almost back in full swing, many towns in our hills haven’t fully recovered. Hot Springs, NC took a brutal hit from Hurricane Helene in September 2024, and a year later, much of the town is still rebuilding. But the spirit remains.
Hot Springs, NC — Still Healing, Still Hopeful
A Little History (so these roots are remembered)
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Hot Springs is named for its natural mineral springs — used by the Cherokee long before settlers arrived.
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The springs were “discovered” by white settlers around 1778 and grew in fame as a healing resort over the 1800s.
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In 1831, James Patton of Asheville bought the springs and developed the first hotel. The town was originally called Warm Springs, later changed to Hot Springs when a hotter spring was found (~1886).
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In 1884, the grand Mountain Park Hotel opened, along with bathhouses and wellness amenities, making this a major destination resort in western NC.
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The Hot Springs Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (since 2009).
So this town wasn’t just a side spot — it was built on tourism, healing, nature, and people seeking refuge in the mountains.
Helene’s Aftermath: Destruction + the Long Road to Rebuild
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When Hurricane Helene descended in late September 2024, torrential rain caused rivers to overflow, roads to collapse, and many Hot Springs businesses and homes were flooded.
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Reports said “nothing’s the same” — portions of Bridge Street were wiped away, infrastructure damaged, and recovery in “week by week” mode.
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The community has responded with unity. Local news writes: “Hot Springs bands together to rebuild; progress is being made, though slowly.”
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But cracks remain visible: buildings under repair, streets in transition, and some previous landmarks lost or severely damaged.
What We Saw, What We Remembered, What We Hoped For
Recently, we visited Hot Springs (for a wedding gig) and walked the streets we once knew. We ate at Smoky Mountain Diner, popped into the Hillbilly Market, gassed up at Sara Jo’s, and drove toward the wedding site — seeing patches of reconstruction, steel beams, fresh foundations, and hopeful signage.
We also saw locals and visitors alike wandering, talking, taking photos, spending time. The townspeople are pushing forward. Weddings are still happening. Businesses are opening again. The energy, though tempered, is present.
Some of our memories of Hot Springs are tied to places that washed away — but memory makes roots stronger, and we’re ready to make new ones.
What We Can Do / Why It Matters
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Choose to visit Hot Springs. Spend in the local businesses.
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Share their stories. Amplify what they’re doing.
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Support recovery funds (if available) or volunteer locally.
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Demand that future infrastructure rebuilding takes future storms into account (resilient design).
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Recognize that recovery doesn’t mean “back to what was” — sometimes it means building what comes next, more resilient, more connected.
See more photos on the To Asheville Facebook page.
🌱 A Note From Us
Walking through Hot Springs reminded us of something simple but powerful: rebuilding takes more than bricks and boards — it takes stories, connection, and visibility.
That’s what we do. Our team has been on the ground before, during, and after storms in WNC — cameras in hand, posts going out, helping communities survive, come back, and thrive.
If your business, town, or project is in the process of rebuilding, and you need media that truly tells your story, brings people back, and inspires support — we’d love to help.
Let’s rebuild together, one story at a time. 💙