Article Written by By John Ross for the Laurel of Asheville
In the wake of the Civil War, tucked in the rumpled valley between Hendersonville and Sweeten Creek roads in South Asheville were three African-American communities: Rock Hill Colored Village, Petersburg and “New” Shiloh.
Rock Hill is, perhaps, the oldest, tracing its roots to Henry Stevens’ 1166-acre plantation, divided in 1870 to provide 30 houses and a church for former slaves. Petersburg, located near West Chapel and Sweeten Creek roads, held about 50 cabins.