Brickton Colored School

Brickton Colored School

Brickton Colored School served African American students in the Fletcher area from the time it was built in 1930 until the Ninth Avenue school was opened in 1951. According to a 1947 survey of Henderson County schools the building, which had “one classroom and cafeteria” 

Alma Avery Interview

Alma Avery shares her experiences growing up in poverty and then later working in a box factory in Henderson County. Watch Alma Avery’s interview with the Mountain Elder Wisdom Project

Chauffeurs and Merry Garden Casino

Henderson County’s licensed chauffeurs included several African Americans like Fred Potts.  The Merry Garden Casino in Flat Rock attracted nationally known swing bands.   https://www.blueridgenow.com/lifestyle/20200207/beyond-banks-driving-fairfax-grinder-and-further-chauffeuring-trivia

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

Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association

A  fourteen acre assembly ground with eleven buildings in East Flat Rock provided a training and social venue for members of African-American Missionary Baptist churches from Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties. Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association From a small acorn a mighty oak can grow.” 

The Sixth Avenue School

Although its resources were limited, the Sixth Avenue School had dedicated teachers. The school also served as a African-American community center from 1916 until l951. The Sixth Avenue School was constructed at the northeast comer of Sixth Avenue and Valley Street in 1916 on one 

Principal John Marable

John Marable was an innovative principal who instituted sports teams and a marching band, and led the transition from the Sixth Avenue School to the larger, better equipped Ninth Avenue School John Marable became principal of Sixth Avenue School in 1946, and during his thirteen 

Education in Henderson County From 1865 Until 1916

There are very few records for the Henderson County schools relating to Blacks, but it appears that education for Blacks in Henderson County had been going on in some form since the end of slavery. In the 1880’s and 1890’s Luella Montgomery was said to 

Education in Henderson County From 1865 Until 1916

Although in theory Black schools were supposed to be equal to White schools, in reality they never received adequate funding. There are very few records for the Henderson County schools relating to Blacks, but it appears that education for Blacks in Henderson County had been