1836-1924

Collections

• Lyda Collection, UNCA
• Related Oral Interviews, UNCA
• E.M. Ball Photo Collection, UNCA
• Correspondence, AAM
• Watercolors, Drawings and Blueprints, AAM, ABLS

Biographical Information

John A. (Adam) Wagner (July 16, 1836-December 5, 1924) was born in

Pendleton County, Virginia the child of parents from respected local families. He and his family moved to Tennessee in 1848. Wagner married a woman from Tennessee in 1860 and early in the Civil War volunteered for the Union army. Where he was promoted to captain and served until the wars conclusion. He moved with his wife and children to Greenville Tennessee after the war where he worked as a carpenter. He the moved again to Hot Springs in Madison County, North Carolina during the 1870's. Wagner made yet another move to Asheville North Carolina in the 1880's, this time with more permanent results. Like other migrants to the city at this time Wagner was able to take advantage of the building boom in Asheville in the late 19th century that occurred as a result of improved railroad connections in western North Carolina.

Wagner designed some of the landmark buildings of downtown Asheville including the Battery park Hotel and the Post Office. He was a partner at Wagner and Wills, Architects and Contractors. he is listed in the 1900 census as living in Asheville with his wife and four children employed as a builder of houses. In addition to his career work Wagner appears to have been engaged in civic activities as well. He was politically a Republican, a Presbyterian, and a Mason and was admired for his positive character and unvacillating personal beliefs. 

http://ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu/people/P000447

Related Oral Interviews

The Buildings

Battery Park Hotel (1886-1888)

Buncombe County Courthouse (1903)

First Presbyterian Church (1884-1885)

United States Courthouse and Post Office (1890-1891)

Inventory of Architecture

Selected Correspondence

Typological Motifs in Wagner's Work

Bibliography

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