Hiddenite in Alexander County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
“Diamond Jim”
— Legends & Lore —
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 29, 2022
1. “Diamond Jim” Marker
In 1914 James Paul Lucas, diamond trader, eccentric, and world traveler, settled at this mansion and kept his collection of curiosities.
Erected 2021 by North Carolina Folklife Institute and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 111.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Legends & Lore Series series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 35° 54.383′ N, 81° 5.504′ W. Marker is in Hiddenite, North Carolina, in Alexander County. Marker is on Hiddenite Church Road, 0.1 miles north of Miller Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 316 Hiddenite Church Rd, Hiddenite NC 28636, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Lucas Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Brantley York (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hiddenite (approx. 0.6 miles away); Alexander County Veterans Memorial - World Wars I & II (approx. 4.8 miles away); Alexander County Veterans Memorial - Korea & Viet Nam (approx. 4.8 miles away); Alexander County Veterans Memorial Bell Tower
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center. Website homepage
The house was grandiose and eccentric for its time. So was its owner. (Hiddenite Arts & (Submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. The Fascinating Story of "Diamond Jim" & James Paul Lucas Mansion. YouTube video (4m 37s)
This famed regional landmark, the first National Register of Historic Places site in Alexander County, was originally built as a two-story Victorian home in 1900. (North Carolina Weekend on PBS NC, uploaded Nov. 3, 2020) (Submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 29, 2022
2. “Diamond Jim” Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
