Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Joshua P. Warren, best known as Asheville’s original ghost hunter, has put together an intriguing event set for Oct. 12 at Pack’s Tavern in downtown Asheville. Warren will screen a portion of Conquest of Canaan, the first motion picture filmed in Asheville. It was shot in 1921.
Much of the silent feature was filmed around what is now Pack Square Park and Packs Tavern and should provide a fascinating look at old Asheville. Warren is billing it as probably the first screening of the movie in Asheville since 1921.
The film itself has a fascinating history, which Warren will recount. Read the press release for more. Also see this post of the Asheville and Buncombe County history blog.
This is going to be a fun event. Mark your calendars.
For perhaps the first time since 1921, Asheville’s first motion picture, Conquest of Canaan, will hit the big screen for one, free showing. The movie will be projected at Pack’s Tavern, at 20 South Spruce Street beside City-County Plaza, where much of the silent feature was shot, 7pm on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.
The rare film was lost for decades until late Asheville broadcaster Bill Banner tracked it down in Russia. His friend, Haunted Asheville author Joshua P. Warren, will introduce the movie, in person, to explain the strange journey taken by 3 reels of 35mm film. He will be joined by Asheville historian Vance Pollock, who has worked with Warren to compare Asheville then to Asheville now, complete with new information about the legendary tunnels beneath the city. Photos taken by filmmaker C. Eric Scott will also be on display, demonstrating how the town has evolved.
“It’s hard to believe Thomas Wolfe was just 21 years old when this was shot,” says Warren, who has worked on this project for years. “The Asheville he wrote about in Look Homeward Angel is the Asheville you’ll see in this movie. It will be a fun, free time to look back. I also have some other surprises planned, so we’ll probably screen about one hour of good stuff that night.”
Being the Halloween season, after the showing, Warren also plans to take 20 paid guests into the Old City Jail and Gallows behind Pack’s Tavern for a ghost hunt. That’ll be first come, first serve, but tickets can be bought in advance at Haunted Asheville.
The author of a dozen books, Warren has appeared on the National Geographic Channel, Discovery, History Channel, Travel Channel, TLC, SyFy, and Animal Planet. He also frequently hosts, and appears on late-night radio programs like “Speaking of Strange” and “Coast to Coast AM.” He’s a native of Asheville, and produces the oldest & original ghost tours in town.
For more information, visit Haunted Asheville.
i've seen the tunnel under broadway. Or the entry rather. It was filled in following the rather large tropical storm which caused all that flooding in Biltmore (2006?). It connects to the basement of the building directly across from the temple (to the left of what used to be the whisky tavern). From what I understand, the flooding caused structural damage to the tunnel and the road above and had to be filled in.
dew, i don't know if there's current info out there, but you hit on exactly what i'm most interested in learning more about. for years, i've heard a variety of stories about varies underground passageways in Asheville. one rumor holds that there was an underground tunnel connecting the Masonic Lodge on Broadway to Pack Square. can't wait to hear what Joshua has learned.
sounds awesome. does anyone know if there is any current info about these legendary tunnels available online?