Not many know the history of the Biltmore Estate which is located very close to Asheville NC in the US. Biltmore was a tycoon back in the days of when the US was first building out the country. He is most well known for the expansion of the railroads.
You look at it today and visit inside and see what true craftsmanship was like back in the 1890’s. Biltmore spare no expense. This 250 room estate measuring over 69,000 square feet is made of stone and took over 6 years to build with 100’s of workers on it simultaneously.
To say that this historic home is majestic is a feeble attempt. Biltmore used Parisian architects and was well traveled and used nothing but the best. The number of large fireplaces in this home must be over ten.
If you look at just the pictures alone, you would think this is a French Castle and not how a US businessman in the 1890’s lived.
Believe it or not, the home was actually built with electrical capability due to his relationship with Thomas Edison.
The amount of servants that were used in upkeep and had their own rooms was evident. The kitchen and laundry rooms were gigantic. The dining room was the size of a tennis court surrounded with mahogany wood and largest fireplace I have ever seen.
Of course they had horses and a huge stable which is now converted to a restaurant and seats around 100 people inside and more outside.
The estate was turned over to the public as a tourist destination several decades ago. The estate is several hundred acres and has a beautiful winery and place for wine tasting.
You see places on you tube or on the internet, but this is one of those places that is more impressive in person. You can only get an idea of size and quality of the estate in person.
So if you are in the Asheville NC area and are looking to spend a whole day taking in the complete Estate it is well worth it. It costs @ $75 per person but it’s one of those once in a lifetime experiences. A chance to see how the truly wealthy US tycoons in the late 1890’s really lived. Quite an amazing place.