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

James Vester Miller

1860-1940

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 31, 2025

1. James Vester Miller Marker

Inscription. Born in Rutherford County, NC, James Vester Miller was the son of a slave, Louisa, and her master. After the Civil War, his mother came to Asheville with her 3 children.

Miller's interest in bricklaying began at 10 years old. Developing his skill over the years, he formed Miller & Sons Construction Company, known for building many churches and civic buildings throughout Asheville in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Miller was a prominent African-American brick mason, developer, entrepreneur and philanthropist in Asheville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 35° 35.698′ N, 82° 32.999′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Court Plaza and South Spruce Street, on the left when traveling west on Court Plaza. The marker is mounted to the left of the Asheville Police Department entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Court Plaza, 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: Young Men’s Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); Brick Artisan (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Monument Corner (within shouting distance of this marker); Past and Promise (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Block" (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellington's Dream (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Black Churches in Asheville (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lynching in America / The Lynching of John Humphries (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

James Vester Miller Marker below the Asheville Police Department sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 31, 2025

2. James Vester Miller Marker below the Asheville Police Department sign

James Vester Miller Marker located to the left of the main entrance of the Asheville Police Dept. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 31, 2025

3. James Vester Miller Marker located to the left of the main entrance of the Asheville Police Dept.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.