Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Isaac And Delia Dickson
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, October 23, 2022
1. Isaac And Delia Dickson Marker
Inscription.
Isaac And Delia Dickson. . Here, on this ground, community grew like a garden. Paving a way for economic freedom, newly emancipated Isaac and Delia Dickson (pictured at right w/ horse), worked, saved, and bought several tracts of land on Valley Street where they rented homes to freed men. The Dicksons ran a general store, coal-yard, and taxi-service, and their community became know as "Dicksontown" (which eventually expanded into the Velvet St. neighborhood, which was eventually leveled to make way for the Public Works Building during "Urban Renewal"). Isaac influenced the establishment of Asheville's public school system in as the first black man appointed to the school board in 1887, and he hosted the first public meeting to organize the Young Men's Institute (YMI), to promote social and economic opportunities for the African-American community. The YMI grew to house many programs including a 12 piece orchestra (pictured below), a basketball court and swimming pool, and eventually public library that served black patrons before integration.
Here, on this ground, community grew like a garden. Paving a way for economic freedom, newly emancipated Isaac and Delia Dickson (pictured at right w/ horse), worked, saved, & bought several tracts of land on Valley Street where they rented homes to freed men. The Dicksons ran a general store, coal-yard, & taxi-service, and their community became know as "Dicksontown" (which eventually expanded into the Velvet St. neighborhood, which was eventually leveled to make way for the Public Works Building during "Urban Renewal"). Isaac influenced the establishment of Asheville's public school system in as the first black man appointed to the school board in 1887, and he hosted the first public meeting to organize the Young Men's Institute (YMI), to promote social and economic opportunities for the African-American community. The YMI grew to house many programs including a 12 piece orchestra (pictured below), a basketball court and swimming pool, and eventually public library that served black patrons before integration.
Location. 35° 35.567′ N, 82° 33.027′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. Marker
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is on South Market Street south of Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in Triangle Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 56 S Market St, Asheville NC 28801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, October 23, 2022
2. Isaac And Delia Dickson Marker
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, October 23, 2022
3. Isaac And Delia Dickson Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 10, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
