Greenbook Guest House
The Landina Guest House was one of many Black-owned businesses that served the Black community in the days of segregation. https://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20190714/beyond-banks-doing-it-by-green-book
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Black-Owned Businesses
An Early Electrician
Robert Quinn wired local theaters and churches in the 1930’s. This interview with his wife was done in 1939 through the National Writers Project. https://www.loc.gov/resource/wpalh2.27080215/?sp=1
Flat Rock Blacksmith
John Markley and his sons were well-known African-American blacksmiths in Flat Rock from 1877 until the early 1900’s. https://www.blueridgenow.com/article/NC/20130217/News/606022456/HT
Black-owned Businesses 1950-1970
The period from 1950 through 1965 brought change to Henderson County. The transition from the injustices of segregation to the equal rights guaranteed under the Constitution was a quiet, slow, and relatively smooth process. It did take courage to complete the process, but for the most part these …
Black-owned Businesses 1900-1950
By 1910, 46 Blacks owned at least 30 acres of land with three of these farmers owning 100 acres or more: M. R. Anderson of Mills River Township (230 acres), Martin Herrin (100 acres) and Washington Shipman (100 acres) both of the Hendersonville Township. To be a …
Black-owned Businesses 1865-1900
Farming was by far the preferred way to gain financial stability for Blacks during the antebellum period. Only eight people prior to 1900 were able to post financial gains in occupations other than farming. They were: stonemasons Jackson Shipman and Henry King; blacksmiths Samuel Williams and Hall …
Black-owned Businesses
Henderson County’s Black middle class, through diligent efforts, made an independent living through their own enterprises and stand out for their entrepreneurial spirit and hard work. Most often Black-run businesses at the turn of the century had to make a choice of focusing their trade either …