Transitioning: Ellington’s Asheville High School

Transitioning: Ellington’s Asheville High School

By Dale Wayne Slusser As construction of the new Asheville City Hall was nearing completion, in January of 1927, the Asheville City school board decided to appropriate $750,000 for construction of a new High School and accompanying Junior College, and they also voted...
An Art Deco Blend – Asheville’s City Hall

An Art Deco Blend – Asheville’s City Hall

By Dale Wayne Slusser Asheville’s City Hall building was designed by Douglas Ellington in 1926, following on the heels of his commission for the First Baptist Church. Ellington’s design for the City Hall would continue his blending of Art Deco with his Classical...
A Classical Masterpiece from an Art Deco Master

A Classical Masterpiece from an Art Deco Master

By Dale Wayne Slusser “What is that?” was my initial reaction to seeing First Baptist Church of Asheville for the first time, in 1993. But now after years of observing it both from its exterior, and attending numerous worship services and events where I have observed...
The Castle

The Castle

As I look back on my years at Stephens-Lee High School, I think in amazement about the loyalty the majority of the people who walked its halls had for such a place.  You see, it was such a different time, a time when African Americans were denied much to be proud of....
Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill

One of Asheville’s most significant historic structures, and one of The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County’s greatest preservation successes was the magnificent home of Richard Mumford Pearson, jr, statesman, congressman and diplomat...