Montford Area Historic District in Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

In Honor of Markus and Maria Reich

Second owners of 165 Montford & residents for 50 years

Warren LeMay via Flickr/Public domain, January 10, 2019

1. In Honor of Markus and Maria Reich Marker

Inscription. Markus Reich was a Holocaust escapee from Poland who made his way to Asheville with his wife, Maria, after the war and opened the successful American Tool and Mold business here. The University of North Carolina at Asheville Center for Jewish Studies website has a fascinating account of the Reich's history

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II.

Location. 35° 36.049′ N, 82° 33.781′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in the the Montford Area Historic District. It is on Montford Avenue north of Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 165 Montford Ave, Asheville NC 28801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Caney (Canie) Brown House (a few steps from this marker); Wartime Jail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Riverside Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Locke Craig (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Riverside Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Riverside Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Raphael Guastavino (approx. half a mile away); Sweet Harmonies (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1st U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Battery Porter (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding In Honor of Markus and Maria Reich. Maria died in 2006 and Markus in 2019. Each was 95.

Also see . . . Markus Reich (PDF).

Warren LeMay via Flickr/Public domain, January 10, 2019

2. In Honor of Markus and Maria Reich Marker

Featured marker is on the right, just out of camera view.

This two-page typewritten biography recounts Reich's childhood, his abduction by the Gestapo for slave labor at 16, the kind German woman who rescued and later married him, and their emigration to Asheville. (University of North Carolina-Asheville Center for Jewish Studies) (Submitted on December 9, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 902 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.