George Stephens

George Stephens (1873-1946) was a banker, and a pioneer in Charlotte's real estate development. He was a native of Guilford County, North Carolina. He was a graduate of UNC, now UNC-CH, and later served on the University's Board of Trustees.

Stephens' business career in Charlotte began in 1896. He was a founder in 1901 and later president of the Southern States Trust Company, which evolved into the American Trust Company.

He organized and became the first president of the Piedmont Realty Company. As a real estate developer, he formed the Stephens Company and around 1912, he began to develop 1,100 acres of land that he bought from his wife's father. The design that Stephens chose for his development, which he named Myers Park, is noted for his innovative design and detailed landscape plan for the neighborhood. 

Stephens' interest in conservation of natural resources led to his involvement in the development and location of the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina. He later retired to Asheville, near the Parkway. From 1912 to 1916, Stephens was a part-owner of the Charlotte Observer. George Stephens was active in the growth of the state's higher education.