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

Brick Artisan

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

1. Brick Artisan Marker

Inscription. James Vester Miller was chief brickmason for the 1925 Municipal Building. The cornucopias over the side doorway mark the entrance to the City Market, located there from 1926 to 1932. Of slave parentage, Miller achieved renown as a craftsman, contractor, and teacher. His works include Hopkins Chapel, Mount Zion and Saint Matthias churches; commercial buildings; and residences.

Placed by the Carolina Power & Light Company and the YMI Cultural Center in honor of all the African-American craftsmen who helped build the city

Erected by Asheville Urban Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 35° 35.687′ N, 82° 33.024′ 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: Monument Corner (within shouting distance of this marker); Young Men’s Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Block" (within

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shouting distance of this marker); James Vester Miller (within shouting distance of this marker); Past and Promise (within shouting distance of this marker); Walk Into History (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Crossroads of Commerce (about 300 feet away); The Early Years In Asheville's Historic Central Square (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asheville.

Brick Artisan Marker (with doorway in background) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

2. Brick Artisan Marker (with doorway in background)

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

3. Brick Artisan Marker

Municipal Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

4. Municipal Building

Doorway & Cornucopias image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

5. Doorway & Cornucopias

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, September 4, 2016

6. Doorway & Cornucopias

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 598 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 2, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on October 3, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.