Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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History Timeline

1909 - President Taft Visits

May 20, 1909 - Charlotte's buildings are draped in flags as President William Howard Taft visits the Queen City. It's the annual celebration of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence -- Meck Dec Day. A commemorative arch complete with lights is built over the trolley line for the special occasion.

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1887 - Professional Firefighters

Until now, firefighters in Charlotte have been volunteers. Two companies are white, one is black. Now, local elected lawmakers, called the City Council, create the town's first professional fire department. The four firemen who are hired each earn $25 per month.Horse-drawn steam engine

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1870 - Lee Visits Charlotte

March 28, 1870 - As Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his daughter, Agnes, pass through Charlotte, they are greeted by a welcoming crowd. They have just visited the Warrenton grave of Lee's daughter, Annie. When Lee reaches Augusta, Georgia, a 13-year old boy named Woodrow Wilson will visit the war hero. In 1913, Wilson will become America's 28th president. 

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1905 - Charlotte Grows

October 20, 1905 - Attorney Edward Randolph Preston hosts a meeting that begins the Greater Charlotte Club. With a motto that urges citizens to Watch Charlotte Grow, the club is a forerunner of the modern-day Chamber of Commerce.

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1899 - First Horseless Carriage

On December 5, Charles Wadsworth, who with his brother James operated a livery stable on North College Street, became the first person to drive a gasoline-powered car in Charlotte. As it passed along Tryon Street  . . . crowds followed it, noted the Charlotte Observer in a story the next day.

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1903 - North Charlotte

Even with streetcar transportation nearby, mill owners must provide a place to live for families who work at the mills. Near the Highland Park Mill #3, 200 houses become part of the growing North Charlotte community. 

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1872 - Town of Pineville

Before the railroad came through in 1852, the little village was known simply as Morrow's Turnout. Now, the town south of Charlotte is incorporated as Pineville. In 1903, it will have a cotton mill. By 1960 it will be the only area within Mecklenburg County still producing a significant amount of cotton.

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1880 - Traditions Fade Away

The old ways of the Catawba Indians are dying out. The young people of the tribe have learned English and no longer want to speak their native Catawba language. Missionaries have taught them to practice the white man's religion. Some even marry white settlers. It will be many years before the Catawba Indian culture again flourishes.

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1885 - Buford Hotel

The Buford Hotel opens. At Fourth and Tryon streets, it will host inventor Thomas Edison and his wife when they visit Charlotte. Other prominent Charlotteans will make their homes at the Buford home, including industrialist D.A. Tompkins. The Buford Hotel will operate until 1915, when its lower floors will be converted to storerooms for the Union National Bank.

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1905 - Brevard Street Library

Sometime in the month of June, 1905, the Brevard Street Library opens to serve black residents. In these early days of the 20th century, segregation is the law. Black and white people attend separate schools and churches. They ride in separate sections of buses. When the Civil Rights movement gathers strength later this century, people of different races will work to achieve equality.

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