Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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Industrial South 1879-1913

1897 - The Fourth Mecklenburg County Courthouse

The Fourth Courthouse, designed by architect Frank Pierce Milburn, . . . was located at 301 South Tryon Street (on the same property where Queens College had been established in 1771). The main entrance had an open portico surmounted by a large dome. The Independence Monument graced the courtyard in front of the Courthouse. from Courthouses of Mecklenburg County, 1766-2007 (Mecklenburg County, 2007)

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1895 - Belk Stores

 September 25, 1895 - A retail store that began in Monroe, North Carolina seven years ago comes to Charlotte. The store owned by W.H. Belk will grow for more than 100 years, when it will include more than 400 department stores in the Southeast.W. H. Belk

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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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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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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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