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

"The Block"

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

1. "The Block" Marker

Inscription. Eagle Street traditionally has been the commercial, cultural, and professional center of the African-American community. The YMI Cultural Center, commissioned by George W. Vanderbilt in 1892 as the Young Men's Institute, was renovated in the 1980s. Mount Zion Missionary Baptist, founded in 1880, completed its present building in 1919.

Placed by the Black Business and Professional League of Asheville, North Carolina

Erected by Asheville Urban Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 35° 35.665′ N, 82° 33.021′ W. Marker is in Asheville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from South Market Street north of Eagle Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Brick Artisan (within shouting distance of this marker); James Vester Miller (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Black Churches in Asheville (within shouting distance of this marker); Monument Corner

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Young Men’s Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); The YMI & William and Georgia Roland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Past and Promise (about 300 feet away); Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

2. "The Block" Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

3. "The Block" Marker

"The Block" Marker sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

4. "The Block" Marker sculpture

"The Block" Marker sculpture plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

5. "The Block" Marker sculpture plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 801 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 2, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.