Fletcher – Family-Friendliness Fuels Fast Growth
Close proximity to Hendersonville and Asheville combined with a family-friendly quality of life have fueled the Town of Fletcher’s rise as one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Western North Carolina.
Fletcher was incorporated in 1989 but has a history that harkens back to the 1700s. The town is named for Dr. George Fletcher who became the local postmaster in 1886. Many settlers were drawn to the Fletcher area for limestone mining, which continues today at a quarry along Fanning Bridge Road.
The residents of Fletcher today enjoy a town that is centrally located with quick access to I-26 and the convenience of Asheville Regional Airport nearby.
Easy interstate and airport access also has been conducive to industry in Fletcher. Local manufacturers that have chosen Fletcher for their facilities include Blue Ridge Metals, Cane Creek Cycling Components, Putsch and Wilsonart.
Residential growth has been spurred by Fletcher’s mix of housing options that include single-family homes in subdivisions, townhomes, condominiums, small, cottage-style homes and apartments.
Families in Fletcher also have several educational options nearby. In addition to Henderson County Public Schools’ Fletcher Elementary School and Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School, FernLeaf Community Charter School is a public charter school.
Veritas Christian Academy is an independent, non-denominational, college preparatory school for pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Also close by are two Seventh-day Adventist schools – the Captain Gilmer Christian School for students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade and Fletcher Academy for grades 9 to 12.
The Fletcher Library is popular with residents and has become one of the busiest branches in the Henderson County Public Library system. Library visitors often stop at Kate’s & Pete’s Park, a small park next to the library that has a playground, paved walking trail, small picnic shelter and green open space.
The 75-acre Bill Moore Community Park draws visitors from throughout Western North Carolina. The park includes five baseball/softball fields, three multi-purpose fields, a picnic shelter, a playground, a nine-hole disc golf course, arboretum gardens, walking trails, a dog park and access to Cane Creek.