South Slope Brewing District in Asheville in Buncombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Legacy of E.W. and Annis Pearson in Asheville

— Black Cultural Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 18, 2025

1. The Legacy of E.W. and Annis Pearson in Asheville Marker

Inscription.

The Legacy of E.W. and Annis Pearson in Asheville. . Prior to integration, Black entrepreneurs and civic leaders created social and economic opportunities for Black communities. Spanish-American War veteran Edward Walton "E.W." Pearson and his wife Annis Bradshaw Pearson established a legacy of Black enterprise in Asheville., In 1912, the Pearsons developed Pearson Park subdivision, now the Burton Street neighborhood. They founded the Buncombe County and District Colored Agricultural Fair in 1913. It hosted amusement rides and livestock, food, art, and handicraft competitions. They built Oates Park in this neighborhood in 1916 and formed Asheville's first Black semi-professional baseball team. In the 1970s, as urban renewal displaced half of the Asheville Black population, Mrs. Pearson co-founded the Senior Opportunity Center, now Grove Street Community Center, and the Burton Street Senior Club., (captions) , Left: Between the 1910s and 1950s, Asheville was home to several Black baseball teams. The Royal Giants was the first. Pictured here is the Royal Giants team at Pearson Park with their founder, E.W. Pearson (far left, standing) in 1916. Buncombe County Special Collections Pack Memorial Public Library Asheville, North Carolina, 1946 Students from East Flat Rock School in Henderson County at the Buncombe County District colored agricultural Fair (1946) Buncombe County Special Collections Pack Memorial Public Library Asheville, North Carolina, 1950s Annis Bradshaw Pearson and Edward W. (E.W.) Pearson raised three children. In this photo, Mrs. Pearson sits while their son Edward W. Pearson, Jr., stands behind her and their eldest child Annette Pearson Cotton, sits to Mrs. Pearson's left. The Pearson's youngest child, Iola Pearson buyers, is not shown. Buncombe County Special Collections Pack Memorial Public Library Asheville, North Carolina, 2023 Asheville native, Clifford W. Cotton II, (2023), studied music at Stephens-Lee High School. As a teenager, he performed at Southside clubs and bands including The Untils. He launched a successful career as a professional musician with the Temptations, The Chuck Jackson Band, the Dick Clark Band, among others. Mr. Cotton is the grandson of E. W. Person Asheville, North Carolina. Photos courtesy of Reggie Tidwell

Prior to integration, Black entrepreneurs and civic leaders created social and economic opportunities for Black communities. Spanish-American War veteran Edward Walton "E.W." Pearson and his wife Annis Bradshaw Pearson established a legacy of Black enterprise in Asheville.

In 1912, the Pearsons developed Pearson Park subdivision, now the Burton Street neighborhood. They founded the Buncombe County and District Colored Agricultural Fair in 1913. It hosted amusement rides and livestock, food, art, and handicraft competitions. They built Oates Park in this neighborhood in 1916 and formed Asheville's first Black semi-professional baseball team. In the 1970s, as urban renewal displaced half of the Asheville Black population, Mrs. Pearson co-founded the Senior Opportunity Center, now Grove Street Community Center, and the Burton Street Senior Club.

(captions)
Left: Between the 1910s and 1950s, Asheville was home to several Black baseball teams. The Royal Giants was the first. Pictured here is the Royal Giants team at Pearson Park with their founder, E.W. Pearson (far left, standing) in 1916. Buncombe County Special Collections Pack Memorial Public Library Asheville, North Carolina

1946 Students from East Flat Rock School in Henderson County at the Buncombe County District colored

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

agricultural Fair (1946) Buncombe County Special Collections Pack Memorial Public Library Asheville, North Carolina

1950s Annis Bradshaw Pearson and Edward W. (E.W.) Pearson raised three children. In this photo, Mrs. Pearson sits while their son Edward W. Pearson, Jr., stands behind her and their eldest child Annette Pearson Cotton, sits to Mrs. Pearson's left. The Pearson's youngest child, Iola Pearson buyers, is not shown. Buncombe County Special Collections Pack Memorial Public Library Asheville, North Carolina

2023 Asheville native, Clifford W. Cotton II, (2023), studied music at Stephens-Lee High School. As a teenager, he performed at Southside clubs and bands including The Untils. He launched a successful career as a professional musician with the Temptations, The Chuck Jackson Band, the Dick Clark Band, among others. Mr. Cotton is the grandson of E. W. Person Asheville, North Carolina. Photos courtesy of Reggie Tidwell

Erected by Black Cultural Heritage Trail. (Marker Number S2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location.

Full view of The Legacy of E.W. and Annis Pearson in Asheville Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 18, 2025

2. Full view of The Legacy of E.W. and Annis Pearson in Asheville Marker

35° 35.319′ N, 82° 33.278′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in the South Slope Brewing District. It is at the intersection of Coxe Avenue and Buxton Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Coxe Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 162 Coxe Ave, 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: Black Women Fund Advocacy, Housing, and Education (here, next to this marker); The National Housing Act of 1934 (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Doctors, Nurses, and Hospitals / Robert McMorris and Wendell Charles Blair, Sr. (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bunkum Stone (approx. 0.3 miles away); Flora Sorrell Boarding Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Trinity Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Isaac Dickson and the Historical East End Neighborhood (approx. 0.4 miles away); Isaac And Delia Dickson (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Daniel K. Moore (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Wide view The Legacy of E.W. and Annis Pearson in Asheville Marker at corner of Coxe & Buxton Aves. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 18, 2025

3. Wide view The Legacy of E.W. and Annis Pearson in Asheville Marker at corner of Coxe & Buxton Aves.

Subject marker is on the left of the two in the picture.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.