Sunset Terrace

Use the crosswalk to move back to the other side of Macon to the intersection of Macon and Sunset Terrace. Walk down towards the right on Sunset Terrace and follow the pavement directional arrows to loop around Sunset Terrace and return to the intersection of Macon. (A heads-up: This loop slopes downward on one side and up a short hill on the other side.) Along the Way:

• Each of the cottages of Sunset Terrace is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All were also designed by Ohio native, Charles Parker, a draftsman for Richard Sharp Smith, until opening his own design firm in 1913. A fun historical tidbit: Charles Parker’s caricature can be found on the main entrance of the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville.

• 10 Sunset Terrace, “The Rosemary Cottage”: Rosemary Cottage was designed by Charles Parker, architect of the Grove Arcade, and was built by Rose Byrne in 1913. Rose Byrne and her mother, Mary, came to Asheville from New York after having lost many family members to tuberculosis. The Rosemary Cottage, which became Rose’s home, and the other cottages of Sunset Terrace are a tribute to Rose Byrne’s vision and determination to create a long-lasting community. A remarkable and adventurous woman, Rose traveled to Egypt, Alaska and throughout Europe. She lived at the Rosemary Cottage until her death in 1924 with her will stipulating that no changes be made to the cottages that would alter their character or the landscape.

• 9 Sunset Terrace, “The Primrose Cottage”: The Primrose Cottage was built at the same time as the Rosemary Cottage. This smaller, Tudor Revival cottage also has a large covered porch which adds to its charm.

• 26 Sunset Terrace, “The Westview” : Both “Westview” and “Rambler” were sold to Maria Louis Stevenson in 1925, a native of Scotland who moved to Asheville from Chicago. The economic depression of the 1930’s caused a foreclosure on Westview but Stevenson regained possession in 1940.

• 23 Sunset Terrace, “The Rambler”: The Rambler is the largest of the cottages with living spaces on 3 levels that take in the beauty of the surrounding trees.

• 32 Sunset Terrace, “The Blossoms”: This delightful cottage’s exceptional number of windows bring the beauty of nature into this multi-level home.

• 47 Sunset Terrace, “The Violet”: Rose Byrne sold the lot for Violet Cottage to her friend, Amy Colyer, and Charles Parker designed and built the cottage in 1920 on the edge of the Grove Park Inn’s golf course. The Violet Cottage was the last of the 6 cottages completed. One of the Violet cottage’s previous owners discounted stories that the house was haunted by a mysterious captain who roamed the upstairs but then encountered the ghost themselves!