Mars Hill in Madison County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Marshbanks Hall

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023

1. Marshbanks Hall Marker

Inscription.
Martin Egbert Parmalee
Architect
Robert Lee Moore
President
1910

Original use library/classroom building

Named Moore Administration Building
1922

Designated Marshbanks Hall
1979
to honor major benefactors

Mars Hill College Historic District building September 12, 2006

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 35° 49.629′ N, 82° 33.016′ W. Marker is in Mars Hill, North Carolina, in Madison County. Marker can be reached from College Street north of Cascade Street (North Carolina Road 213), on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the Mars Hill University quad. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 52 College St, Mars Hill NC 28754, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McConnell Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Founders Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Spilman Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Mars Hill University (within shouting distance of this marker); Mars Hill College

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Rural Heritage Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Wellness Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Mars Hill College (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mars Hill.

Regarding Marshbanks Hall. Excerpt from the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Mars Hill College Historic District, of which Marshbanks Hall is a contributing building:

This handsome two-story-on-basement brick building, designed in 1908, completed in 1909, and occupied as a library and classroom building in 1910, was the fifth important brick building erected on the Mars Hill campus. It is one of three of that group that survive in the district. It is the earliest surviving college building to be designed by an identified architect. On 4 May 1908 the trustees approved the plans by Martin Egbert Parmalee (1852-1945) and awarded the contract for its construction to Beck, Briggs, and Anderson. John Wilson Anderson (1865-1948), a principal in the firm, was married to a granddaughter of Edward Carter. The contract price was $9,999.00.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 25, 2023

2. Marshbanks Hall Marker
By 1922 the building was named in honor of Dr. Moore (1870-1949), and in 1979 it was renamed Marshbanks Hall to honor William Willis (1852-1938) and Dora (Anderson) Marshbanks (1853-1922) and their daughters, Fuchsia Virginia (1887-1978) and Flossie Marshbanks (1895-1981). The Marshbanks sisters were major donors to the college.

(Edward Carter donated four acres upon which French Broad Baptist Institute (later Mars Hill College, then Mars Hill University) was established. Dr. Robert Lee Moore was Mars Hill's president from 1897 to 1938.)

Also see . . . Mars Hill College Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which was listed in 2006. (National Archives) (Submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.