Enslaved people built much of the original Carl Sandburg Home before the Civil War. https://www.blueridgenow.com/story/news/2021/02/26/highlighting-forgotten-slaves-built-present-day-sandburg-home-staff-uncover-their-stories/6804747002/
The people of Black Bottom in southern Hendersonville had a community group to govern and police the neighborhood to avoid crime. Click Here to read excerpt about Black Bottom in Hidden History of Henderson County, NC by Terry Ruscin
Terry Smith joined the fire department in 1985. https://wlos.com/news/local/first-african-american-hendersonville-firefighter-continues-serving-the-community
Some of the many African American cemeteries in Henderson county have disappeared over the years. Others are being restored. https://www.blueridgenow.com/article/NC/20050223/news/606079976/HT
Although he never learned to read and write, Oscar Avery was proficient in the skills CPR, first aid, and other skills he needed as a volunteer fire fighter. http://hendersonheritage.com/early-leaders-of-fire-department/
Alma Logan Avery sold vegetables she grew on her farm in Lake Lure at the Tailgate market. https://www.blueridgenow.com/article/NC/20040705/News/606053642/HT
Julius Rosenwald, President of Sears, donated funds to build 5,000 schools for African Americans in the 1920’s. One of them was in East Flat Rock. https://www.boldlife.com/learning-from-the-past/
Freed slaves founded the Kingdom of Happy Land in the 1870’s near today’s Lake Summit. With money they earned as porters carrying packages up the mountain to Saluda, they bought land from the Davis family’s plantation, Oakland. There is little documentation about the Kingdom and …
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
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