The Triangle Park Mural on South Market Street, completed in 2013, was created by Asheville Design Center, in collaboration with community organization Just Folks. Local artist, Molly Must was recruited as the project’s lead designer. The mural captures some of the history of the African American experience in Asheville. Among its many images is one of Isaac and Delia Dickson. As the mural states, Isaac, a former slave who came to Asheville around 1870, “influenced the establishment of Asheville’s public school system as the first black man appointed to the school board in 1887.”
In a Sept. 28, 1919 article in The Sunday Citizen, titled, “Historical Sketch of Local Public Schools,” a Mrs. M.K. Williamson describes Isaac as a “scrupulously conscientious” member of the school board.
The Triangle Park Mural also highlights Isaac’s role in the creation of the Young Men’s Institute (YMI), which would be completed in 1893. The mural notes that the YMI “promote[d] social & economic opportunities for the African-American community … including a 12 piece orchestra, a basketball court and swimming pool, and eventually [a] public library that served black patrons before integration.”
Below is a Sept. 1, 1890 article from the Asheville Daily, titled, “Colored Y.M.C.A : The First Meeting Well Attended and Very Promising.” It reports on the initial step of what would eventually lead to the construction of the YMI.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr. E Stephens, principal of the Colored Graded Schools, organized a Y.M.C.A. for the colored people of Asheville. The meeting was held at the house of Isaac Dickson. Besides the pastors, there were present thirty young men and women of the different denominations represented in the city. Prof. Stephens explained the object of the association be the moral, intellectual and social improvement of its members, and detailed its methods of works, its privileges and its responsibilities. Until the association gets a building of its own, the meetings will be held every Sunday afternoon at some one of the different churches.
Encouraging remarks were made by the ministers and some of the young men who promised their hearty co-operation to make the movement a success. Much enthusiasm was shown by all present. It is hoped that it will last, and that before long the colored people will have a large and flourishing association. There is a crying need for such an institution here, a great work to be done, and much good can be accomplished. The officers of the association are: President, E. Stephens; secretary, H.B. Brown; treasurer, Isaac Dickson; musical director, Miss Hattie High.
For more on Isaac Dickson, see “Up from slavery: Isaac Dickson, Asheville pioneer,” Feb. 14, 2012, Xpress.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.