The first hospital in Charlotte emerged during the Civil War at the North Carolina Military Institute. From 1876, a number of private hospitals, including St. Peter's (1876-1940), Good Samaritan (1888-1990), Charlotte Sanatorium (1907-1942), Presbyterian Hospital (1898-) and Mercy Hospital (1906-). The North Carolina Medical College, founded in 1892, occupied a building on the corner of 6th and Church Streets served the medical needs of the community.

One of the largest medical facilities, Charlotte Memorial Hospital (1940) emerged as one of the leading providers in health care. Under the name, Carolinas Medical Center, it offered a wide array of services.