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

Triangle Park Mural

2012–2013

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

1. Triangle Park Mural, left side

Click on any image to examine the photograph in detail.

Inscription.
This mural is dedicated to the history of this area, The Block & the East End, Asheville's oldest African-American neighborhood and business district.

The early residents of the East End were former slaves of the Patton family; descendants of Africa.

Erected 2013 by Just Folks and the Asheville Design Center, Artist Molly Must.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 35° 35.564′ N, 82° 33.019′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in East End. It is at the intersection of South Market Street and Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling south on South Market Street. The marker is at the far left side of the mural at Triangle Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 70 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

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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: Railroad Workers (a few steps from this marker); Isaac And Delia Dickson (a few steps from this marker); Lynching in America / The Lynching of Bob Brackett (a few steps from this marker); Catholic Hill School / Stephen’s – Lee High School (a few steps from this marker); Isaac Dickson and the Historical East End Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); Oscar Wong (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The YMI & William and Georgia Roland (about 300 feet away); Flora Sorrell Boarding Home (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Also see . . .
1. Molly Must. Triangle Park Mural

In an upwelling of community
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

2. Triangle Park Mural, Right side
effort and care, nearly 100 volunteers helped paint the Triangle Park Mural between June of 2012 and May of 2013 (many of whom have their own stories about the heyday of the Block). The design is a product of community discussion that was aided by historical archives, interviews, family stories, and donated photographs (including the collection of photographer Andrea Clark). The mural honors both personal stories and memories of several historic institutions of the area, including the Stevens Lee High School, Catholic Hill School, and the Young Men's Institute (YMI).

(Submitted on March 6, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

2. Park Views: Triangle Park. 2023 post by Christo Bubenik on the News pages of The City of Asheville website. Excerpt:

Now generally defined as a 22-acre swath along Eagle and Market streets, The Block historically reached into areas as far north as College Street and as far south as today’s intersection of Biltmore Avenue and South Charlotte Street. Once the commercial center and entertainment hub for the city’s Black community, the district was connected to the East End/Valley Street
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

3. Triangle Park Mural, first panel on the left
Close ups of this panel are photos Nos. 1 and 2.
and Southside neighborhoods until urban renewal in the 1970s forced the relocation of many families and businesses.

(Submitted on June 2, 2025.)

Triangle Park Mural acknowledgements image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

4. Triangle Park Mural acknowledgements

Triangle Park Mural a collaborative project by Just Folks and the Asheville Design Center with Artist Molly Must 2012-2013

“East End, Asheville, 1891” image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

5. “East End, Asheville, 1891”

This is the second panel from the left.

Railroad Workers Panel image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

6. Railroad Workers Panel

This is the third panel from the left. This panel qualifies as a historical marker and is further illustrated on its own page due to the history it narrates in text.
Click for more information.

Wide View of Triangle Park Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

7. Wide View of Triangle Park Mural

The leftmost panel on this image is panel 4.

Tringle Park Mural Panels 4, 5, and 6. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 4, 2025

8. Tringle Park Mural Panels 4, 5, and 6.

These three panels are further illustrated on their own separate pages because they qualify as historical markers due to the history they narrate in text.

“These are days of riches, of Velvet & Pine” image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

9. “These are days of riches, of Velvet & Pine”

These are days of riches, of Velvet & Pine,
Lincoln, Hazzard, and Valley — the vine.
. . .
Streets are homelands, and pockets are deeper
’cause nobody thirsts when you’re each other’s keepers.

Panel 7, the first panel (left to right) on the right-side wall.

“Well, son, I’ll tell you” image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

10. “Well, son, I’ll tell you”

This is the eighth panel of the mural. Inscribed on the right is the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes that begins, “Well, son, I’ll tell you”

“In my Backyard Stretching Tall I Stand,” left panel image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

11. “In my Backyard Stretching Tall I Stand,” left panel

This is the ninth panel of the mural. Inscribed between panels 9 and 10 is an excerpt from “My Backyard” by Terry a O’Neal.”

“In my Backyard Stretching Tall I Stand,” right panel image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

12. “In my Backyard Stretching Tall I Stand,” right panel

This is the 10th panel of the mural. Inscribed between panels 9 and 10 is an excerpt from “My Backyard” by Terry a O’Neal.”

“Just Folks” image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

13. “Just Folks”

This is the 11th panel of the mural.

Between the 11th and 12th Panel of the Mural image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

14. Between the 11th and 12th Panel of the Mural

Between 12th and 13th Panel of the Mural image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

15. Between 12th and 13th Panel of the Mural

Sports Legends (Panel 12) image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

16. Sports Legends (Panel 12)

• Western Carolina University All-American Henry Logan • Mean Joe Green • Mary Ann Gilchrest • Harlem Globetrotter, Harlem Astronaut, Stephens-Lee Alumni President Bennie Lake

“Everything we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see” image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

17. “Everything we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see”

Panels 13 and 14 features Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote.

Credits on Panel 15, the last panel on the right image. Click for full size.

Triangle Park 2013 Mural, lead artist Molly Must. Photograph by J.J. Prats, May 17, 2025

18. Credits on Panel 15, the last panel on the right

Triangle Park Mural, 2012-2013, a project created by the Asheville Design Center & Just Folks Organization. Based on the history, photographs & stories of the people of the East End. Coordinated, designed & led by artist Molly Must. Supporting artists: Ian Wilkinson • Ernie Mapp • Twila Jefferson • Harper Leich • Liana Murray.

Just Folks Mural Team: Ceretha Griffin • Curtis James • Linda Jackson • Julia McDowell • Francena Griffith • Timothy Burdine.

Mossaic by Donald Norris and Molly with help from Mr. Pedro, Danny Suber & Alex Irvine.

Thank You: Chris Joyell, for organizational support • Andrea Clark, for photographs of East End • Lee Buckner, for help with the giant screen-prints • Rodney Porter, for long-term visions • Daniel Lefkowitz, for help with all things.

Special Thanks to UNCA & Pack Libraries • Asheville City Schools Foundation • Mountain Housing Opportunities • NC Arts Council • Sherwin Williams
-and- Everyone who donated to Molly’s Kickstarter Campaign.

2017 Appalachian Mural Trail Plaque image. Click for full size.

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

19. 2017 Appalachian Mural Trail Plaque

“Triangle Park” Dedicated to the Mural Movement. muraltrail.com Shining a light on the Blue Ridge.

In memory of Edwina Sword & supported by a grant from the Asheville Area Arts Council • Lead Artist Molly Must.

This plaque is mounted between 12th and 13th panel of the mural.

Triangle Park and Its Mural image. Click for full size.

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

20. Triangle Park and Its Mural

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 6, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 5. submitted on June 2, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 6, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. submitted on June 2, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.