East End in Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Isaac Dickson and the Historical East End Neighborhood

— Black Cultural Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Terry Price, January 26, 2024

1. Isaac Dickson and the Historical East End Neighborhood Marker

Inscription.
After the end of the Civil War, Black people began establishing enterprises in Asheville. Isaac Dickson's investments sparked a thriving business district and neighborhood that stretched from Eagle and Market streets into the present-day East End-Valley Street neighborhood.

Mr. Dickson, a formerly enslaved man, bought property to the south of this site. He operated businesses including a coal and kindling company and a grocery on Valley Street. Mr. Dickson rented several homes on his property to other Black residents. This area became known as Dickson Town. Just across present-day Charlotte Street lies East End, Asheville's first established Black neighborhood. An elementary school is named in honor of Mr. Dickson, who died in 1919.

(Kindergarten students at Isaac Dickson Elementary painted this portrait of Isaac Dickson under the direction of local artist Christopher Holt.)

Erected by Ashville Black Cultural Heritage Trail. (Marker Number D5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 35° 35.552′ N, 82° 33.01′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North

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Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in East End. It is at the intersection of South Market Street and Beaumont Street, on the right when traveling north on South Market Street. 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.

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 the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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: Triangle Park Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Workers (within shouting distance of this marker); Isaac And Delia Dickson (within shouting distance of this marker); Lynching in America / The Lynching of Bob Brackett (within shouting distance of this marker); Catholic Hill School / Stephen’s – Lee High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Oscar Wong (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Flora Sorrell Boarding Home (about 400 feet away); The Bunkum Stone (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 17, 2025

2. Isaac Dickson and the Historical East End Neighborhood Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2024, by Terry Price of Asheville, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 444 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on March 6, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on January 29, 2024, by Terry Price of Asheville, North Carolina. 2. submitted on June 2, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

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