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| Birthplace: | Jackson County, North Carolina, USA |
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John T. Corbin (April 3, 1871 or 1873-June 12, 1955), an expert stonecutter and tile worker, practiced his trade in Asheville for many years, and helped to construct several landmark buildings. A native of North Carolina and probably the son of Jackson County farmer Lemuel Corbin and his wife Barcela, John was a man of many skills: he was listed in the 1899-1900 Asheville city directory as a foreman at the Biltmore Nursery; the 1904-1905 directory listed him as a "tool dresser, S.I. Bean & Co."; and the United States Censuses of 1910 and 1920 listed him as a stonecutter and head of a household that included his wife, Allie, and their children.
Corbin probably formed his association with stone contractor Samuel I. Bean at Biltmore, where both men were employed in the 1890s. At his death, the Asheville Citizen of June 13, 1955, reported, "Corbin was well known for his tile and stone masonry work at Grove Park Inn, the Masonic Temple, the Vanderbilt Estate, Central Methodist Church, and the Buncombe County Courthouse." Corbin's craftsmanship, like that of his colleague Bean and others, played an important role in defining the character and quality of important Asheville buildings designed by various leading architects. His projects included buildings notable for the diverse and striking effects in his trade, such as the elaborate stonework at Biltmore, the rustic boulders at the Grove Park Inn, and the rough-cut stone walls at Central Methodist Church.
Authors: Zoe Rhine and Catherine W. Bishir.
Published 2012
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| Dates: | 1888-1895 |
| Location: | Asheville, Buncombe County |
| Street Address: | Biltmore Ave., Asheville vicinity, NC |
| Status: | Standing |
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| Title: | Elevation, Biltmore Estate, Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina |
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Preservation North Carolina, "Elevation, Biltmore Estate, Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina," Preservation North Carolina Historic Architecture Slide Collection, 1965-2005 (PNC slides), Built Heritage of North Carolina: Historic Architecture in the Old North State, North Carolina State University, Libraries, Special Collections Research Center
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| Dates: | 1900-1905; 1924 [addition] |
| Location: | Asheville, Buncombe County |
| Street Address: | 27 Church St., Asheville, NC |
| Status: | Standing |
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Asheville's Methodist congregation began fundraising for a new church in 1899 and soon commissioned a design from Hunt. On August 1, 1901, the Asheville Citizen reported that Hunt had visited Asheville recently, "bringing with him the plans and specifications for the proposed structure," from which the paper printed an illustration. The Manufacturers' Record of Sept. 5, 1901, reported that the congregation had let the contract to Asheville builder J. M. Westall. A delay ensued when the quarterly Methodist conference advised abandoning the project, but the congregation persisted. In 1902 the plans were returned to Hunt for changes suggested by a new building committee, and Westall was engaged to superintend construction. The final design was similar to the original but adjusted to reduce the cost estimate from about $60,000 to $50,000. The cornerstone was laid on August 25, 1902; the Sunday school was ready for use in 1904; and the first service was held in the auditorium on November 5, 1905. Hunt subsequently planned a 1924 renovation and expansion (costing more than $200,000) including a large Sunday school addition. |
| Title: | Central Methodist Church, Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina |
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"Central Methodist Church, Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina," State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
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| Dates: | 1913 |
| Location: | Asheville, Buncombe County |
| Street Address: | 80 Broadway, Asheville, NC |
| Status: | Standing |
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| Title: | The Scottish Rite Cathedral and Masonic Temple, Asheville, Buncombe County |
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"The Scottish Rite Cathedral and Masonic Temple, Asheville, Buncombe County," NC Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville, NC
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| Dates: | 1912-1913; 1921 (additions planned) |
| Location: | Asheville, Buncombe County |
| Street Address: | Macon Ave. |
| Status: | Standing |
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John T. Corbin was one of many stonemasons involved in constructing the massive inn of local boulders. |
| Title: | Grove Park Inn, Asheville, N.C. |
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"Grove Park Inn, Asheville, N.C.," Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (P077), North Carolina Postcards, North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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