As a globetrotting travel writer, I heard about Sevierville, Tennessee, through a fellow journalist who mentioned the region’s mountains, charm, apple orchard, spirits, and, of all things, a legendary African American master brick mason. While all sounded worth a story, as a Black journalist, the latter had me truly intrigued.

I had the pleasure of experiencing one of the renowned downtown walking tours led by Carroll McMahan, the beloved city historian who recently retired from the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. Lucky enough to spend an hour with someone dedicated enough to take time from his well-deserved leisure, Carroll helped me delve into a chapter of Black history that was literally built into Sevierville. I left proud and enlightened after learning about the story of an African American master brick mason, builder, entrepreneur, and visionary: Isaac Dockery. He was responsible for most of the infrastructure gracing downtown since the late 1800s, notably one of my peoples’ most tumultuous eras in America.

With the sun picking the afternoon of our tour to beat its chest, Carroll thankfully chose to meet under a shaded area in front of the prominent Sevier County Courthouse that’s centrally located on the tranquil Historic Downtown Sevierville square along Court Avenue. While the life-sized bronze statue of a young Dolly Parton sitting on a large rock with an acoustic guitar created by the renowned artist Jim Gray garnered attention—a tribute gift from her hometown loyalists unveiled in 1987—the presence of the Courthouse at the center of the public square was grandiose. It can be seen literally from miles away.

The Courthouse flaunts numerous gold domes including the one crowning its tallest structure in the center, a 130-foot tower boasting an iconic Seth Thomas clock. Exterior embellishments include a limestone base, precise brickwork, and evident Beaux Arts-influenced architecture overall. The Smoky Mountains in the distance provide a majestic backdrop, especially on clement days. The Courthouse was built during the same year as the State of Tennessee’s centennial in 1896; to add, it was strategically built on the town’s square, isolated from other properties to avoid another fire like that responsible for the demise of its predecessor courthouse nearby in 1856.

As we crossed Court Avenue, I noticed signs along the sidewalk courtesy of the Sevierville interpretive history initiative that commemorate Dolly Parton’s statue, the Courthouse, and other local gems. However, from the enthusiasm and sincerity I received from Carroll, the life of Dockery deserved the most shine.

Born in Sevierville County’s Jones Cove Community as a free African American in 1832, Dockery’s tireless effort to find work awarded him the opportunity to be a clerk merchant in Sevierville. The man who hired him to work at his home, Henry M. Thomas, was ironically still a slave owner, but was obviously impressed with Dockery’s intellect and passion. Soon after, themes of loyalty, family, and entrepreneurialism became intertwined in their relationship.

While strolling down Court Avenue, Carroll encouraged me to touch the brick exteriors and notice everything from color to texture, as well as how Dockery’s bricks contrasted with the styles of their immediate neighbors. Then he put his right palm on one wall, took a breath, and gratefully did not hold back when telling one story of unforgettable horror that Dockery experienced while working with Thomas during the Civil War.

When Confederate troops received word of Dockery’s working relationship with Thomas, they tried to get him to disclose the secret whereabouts of Thomas’ grandson, McKendree Porter Thomas, who was a colonel of the Union’s army at that time. The troops mercilessly tied a noose around his neck and threatened to hang him. To no avail, they tied him to a horse and dragged Dockery through the Sevierville grounds and streets, leaving behind trails of blood. Instead of succumbing to the lengthy brutality, Dockery strategically played dead; this successfully ended the ruthless interrogation.

Although reimagining that horrific scene was disturbing to say the least, it demonstrated the character, endurance, defiance, and strong sense of loyalty Dockery possessed. He also had devotion to starting a family and fell in love with Charlotte “Lottie” Thomas, who was enslaved by his boss at the time, so she shared the last name until their matrimony. During their longtime marriage, numerous accolades were accomplished. Besides having 15 children with Charlotte, Dockery took his work experience and built a brick kiln during the late 1860s in nearby Middle Creek, which led to his own brick masonry business which soon made him a Sevierville legend.

Fueled with passion, Dockery taught his brick masonry craft to his sons, his sons-in-law, and his grandsons while building his business serving Sevier County, with a concentration of properties that he helped build based in Downtown Sevierville. The storefronts varied in earth tones depending on what the landowners chose, including hues of orange, red, and brown, originating from the samples of soil Dockery gathered from surrounding regions. The customization didn’t stop there. More intricate details included the size of each individual brick, and even the choice of gradient, which could range from completely smooth surfaces to having neatly carved ridges. I learned that Dockery proudly trademarked some of his bricks with his initials, “I D,” and the date, which I unfortunately did not see. As a collector of African American nostalgia, I would have loved to at least photograph one of those.

Carroll had us turn left on Bruce Street which is lined with restaurants and other businesses still brandishing exteriors and interiors of Dockery’s craftsmanship. I enjoyed a touching mural titled “Memories at Red’s Café” featuring Dolly in her childhood years receiving a burger from a server; took a picture of Carroll standing in front of his former home; and read the story about the historic house of Dwight and Kate Wade. Other notable landmarks connected to Dockery throughout Sevier County included the Murphy College Building in 1891, Sevierville Masonic Lodge in 1893, and the reconstructed Union Church renamed the African American-led New Salem Baptist Church in 1886. The latter currently exists and is regarded as the second-oldest church in the county.

However, no matter how much craftsmanship Dockery and his associates provided to beautify the properties owned by the County’s white business owners, the tumultuous times of slavery, the Civil War, and Jim Crow laws preserved the harsh, racial inequities of the South. Considering how strenuous and physically taxing it was to not only transport the bricks and materials to worksites, but also build at the mercy of the often-unforgiving summer heat, Black workers were not allowed to use any bathrooms, water fountains, or facilities. The infamous ‘White Only’ regime remained intact.

“The Dockery family always worked diligently and through their hard work, gained a lot of respect,” Carroll said. “But the sad side of the story is the people who hired them; my gosh, they couldn't get a drink of water. I don't say this out of pride, I say this out of shame: Jim Crow was the state law and that's the way it was. The brick masons were not militant at all; they should've asked for more for the work they did, but there was an expression often used in those days about Black people: ‘They knew their place.’”

And yet, the Dockerys, their extensive family, and co-workers throughout the generations founded businesses that profitably persevered, including the I.D. & Sons Contractors in Brick, J. F & N McMahan Construction Company, and Riverside Steam Brick Co. They collectively lasted for almost a century. Dockery’s family tree also had branches of successful brick masons, college graduates, architects, and entrepreneurs.