INFORMAL in approach, this history of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and written under direction of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
The book is planned to serve two purposes. The first is to provide an interesting narrative history of city and county. The other is to serve as a reference book for answering the questions most frequently asked about the locality and its citizens.
During the first half of the 20th Century three elaborate pageants were staged to portray early historic events occurring in Charlotte and Mecklenburg.
Pageant of Charlotte and Old Mecklenburg
AMONG the provision of the Mecklenburg Resolves of May 31, 1775 it was stipulated that the inhabitants form themselves into nine companies and "chuse" two freeholders from each who would act as selectmen to govern the county. With some unimportant changes, this form of government existed until the Civil War. Following the war, the county was divided into fifteen townships. Later, five towns were incorporated and many villages and communities established.
Davidson
AMERICA was plunged into World War II with the assault of the Japanese upon Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and once again Charlotte was selected as the site of war facilities.
From about 1925 until 1942 "Old Wayside," the nom de plume assumed by Harold C. Brown, was well known throughout the Carolinas. Among shut-ins he was even more widely known and loved.
Many of the people whose names appear in this history no longer frequent the busy thoroughfares. Had they not lived, there would probably be no book, certainly not one of such dimensions. Gravestones are constant reminders of the debts we owe for today's blessings. And, somewhere in each burial ground, rest those valiant guardsmen who gave their all for the preservation of justice, liberty, and freedom.
Major Bibliographical References
Abbott, F. C. Fifty Years in Charlotte Real Estate 1897 - 1947. Charlotte. Privately printed.
Alexander, John Brevard. History of Mecklenburg County. Charlotte. The author. (1902)
Alexander, John Brevard. Reminiscences of the Past Sixty Years. Charlotte. The author. (1908)
Allen Organization. Recreation for the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County - A Long Range Plan. Charlotte. (1956)
Charlotte's most serious labor disturbance occurred near midnight on August 25, 1919, when five men were killed and more than a dozen wounded by police guarding car barns of the Southern Public Utilities Company against damage by striking conductors and motormen. Operatives of street cars owned by Southern Public Utilities Company in Charlotte and other cities went on strike August 10, 1919, for higher wages and union recognition. When the company attempted to operate cars with new employees, various depredations were committed by strikers and sympathizers.
The stone representing North Carolina, and so inscribed, in the Washington Monument was quarried in the Belmont section of Charlotte. The first stone was rejected by the Washington Monument Committee and a second stone was cut and accepted. This stone was selected because, insofar as is known, it is found nowhere else in the United States.