Preface

LOCAL HISTORY has attracted greater interest as people recognize that everyday events are the building blocks of the national experience. This monograph describes a microcosmic part of the 1914-1918 war effort of the American people.
 
Charlotte experienced the phenomenon of a sudden doubling of its population as the result of the Army locating a training base on the edge of town. Camp Greene, as it was known, stimulated the decades of effort of the Chamber of Commerce to bring growth to Charlotte. From the inception of Camp Greene to the present, Charlotte has been growing.
 
This work is an outgrowth of a seminar project begun in 1976 at UNCC. Student and teacher have combined their efforts to revive a small portion of Charlotte's past. We, jointly, take all responsibility for any errors or omissions and wish to acknowledge the many contributions of local citizens.
 
We would like to give special thanks to Sam Smith, president of Trust Management Systems, whose support and enthusiasm made this publication possible. Mary Bottomly and Sandy Bergo deserve special thanks for typing the manuscript. People, too numerous to be named, provided personal recollections and insights of Charlotte's role during the war.
 
Finally, we wish to thank you for purchasing this book, the proceeds from which will assist in the preservation of the last physical reminder of Camp Greene, the Dowd House.
 
MIRIAM GRACE MITCHELL
EDWARD SPAULDING PEREL
Charlotte, N. C.
August 1979