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Defining Charlotte's Legacy | |
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Much can happen in one hundred years. Technology changes, cities change, and people change. And throughout these years of change and growth, there are threads of uniqueness and constancy that remain - threads of legacy that are woven into the fabric of a city and a society. These strong threads of legacy are what we have searched to present in this exhibit. What is Charlotte's legacy? This is the question that the Library staff and the curators of this exhibit faced as we began our Celebration of Legacy in 1999. Many common themes came to mind immediately: textiles, tree-lined neighborhoods, Charlotte's own gold rush, banking and much more. But we decided to go deeper, to look at aspects of Charlotte's past one hundred years which linger today and bring a special sense of history, growth and pride--aspects which blend the desire for change and growth while honoring the city's past.
While it would be impossible to include all the people and organizations that have contributed so much to our city, this exhibit attempts to touch on many qualities that have and continue to enrich the fabric of Charlotte. We have included images of faces, places, and events that have become not only a part of Charlotte's history but a part of its legacy for future generations of Charlotteans. As we look to the next century, we can already see the beginnings of a rich multi cultural population that will lead to new traditions in Charlotte. It is certain that the many faces of our city will continue to change as its legacies grow bolder and richer with each passing year. |
This virtual exhibit is in conjunction with The Legacy exhibit that is currently on display in the Carnegie Gallery, which is on the third floor of the Main Branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Unlike the gallery exhibit, all of the photographs that you see here are part of the Historic Photograph Collection in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room. The exhibit will be on display until April 10, 2000. We invite you to visit the library and view the exhibit in its entirety and preview some of the photographs not featured on this site, including photographs of the sit-ins by students from Johnson C. Smith University, Bill Lee, the Speedway and modern views of the city. Come and explore Charlotte's rich legacy.
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Movies, Movies, Movies!
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The Power of a Cracker
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Highland Mill #3
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Guess Where This Is Now?
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Bishop Grace's Annual Visit
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Latta Park
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Strong in the Spirit
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Clang, Clang Clang Went Charlotte's Trolley
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"The Charlotte Observer"
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"Let There Be Light"
Left: Biddle Hall which is on the Register of Historic Places
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Lowes' Charlotte Motor Speedway
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I Love a Parade!
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Downtown - Uptown
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TV Comes To Charlotte
On September 30, 1951, WBTV broadcast live, local television shows for the first time. The shows aired from a converted radio theater in the Wilder Building with Jim Patterson as the emcee. Many of the WBT radio personalities, such as Betty Feezor, Fred Kirby, Loonis McGlohon, Arthur Smith and the Crackerjacks as well as the local favorites, The Briarhoppers eventually appeared on WBTV.
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A Night at the Opera
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So Others Might Be Free
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The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
Over the years, the library system triumphed over financial shortages, which included a short-lived closing in 1939. Today it is the largest public library system in the state with twenty-two branches, including Main. The ease of access to the branches provides all Mecklenburg County residents an opportunity to broaden their horizons by opening doors across the world through free access to the Internet, as well as through the libraries vast collections of books, videos and CDs.
In 1995, PLCMC was named Library of the Year by the American Library Association. The library's greatest legacy is providing free information resources and services, as well as programs for all Charlotteans. In doing so, this tradition enhances the quality of life throughout Mecklenburg County.
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Up In Arms
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The Carolina Theater opened its doors in 1927. Located on the corner of Tryon and Sixth Streets, the theater seated 1800 spectators. A Mediterranean motif, complete with antique Spanish furniture could be found throughout the theater and brought an exotic glamour to Charlotte. These shots were taken during the theater's early years of operation. Over the years, the theater fell into disrepair, but there is a concerted effort to restore this beloved landmark to its original glory.
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Founded by Philip L. Lance in 1913, the Lance Corporation has become
synonymous with the peanut butter cracker. Originally Lance sold his peanut goods door-to-door. His son-in-law, S. A. Van Every soon joined him. By 1926, the company moved to the facility on South Boulevard as seen here. Eventually the Lance Corporation moved to a large, more modern facility on Pineville Road and the company continues to expand
its operations throughout the country.
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Highland Park Manufacturing Company first organized in 1891. The company opened its Charlotte division, Highland Mill #3 around 1900. Located in what is now known as the North Davidson District, the mill became one of the leading manufacturers of gingham in the United States. The owners of the company built recreation centers, businesses, and houses for the workers at the mill. A close knit community emerged and was greatly affected by the closing of Highland Mill in 1969. The area experienced an economic decline but is reemerging as a vibrant neighborhood for the arts. 
Residents of the Shue Boarding House posed for this picture in the early 1920s.
Many of these people and their families worked at the mill seen above.
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This serene rural setting is now the site of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. 
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The annual arrival of Bishop "Sweet Daddy" Grace, founder of
The United House of Prayer For All People, was a time for an incredible
outpouring of religious fervor by the church members. These photographs were taken during the 1958 parade.
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Charlotte is fortunate to have so many neighborhood parks. In 1891, the 4C's, under the leadership of Edward Dilworth Latta, constructed a 90 acre amusement park amidst beautiful landscaped grounds. Charlotteans strolled the shady paths that led them around Lake Forsythe and admired the flowers, lily ponds, and flowing springs. Thursday evenings or "Cupid's Reception," as it was called, were reserved for couples who were courting. Concerts, tennis matches and boating were common activities. In 1892, a baseball field was completed. Both whites and blacks enjoyed the use of the field. A bicycle track and a greenhouse opened in 1897, and the next year brought a concert hall as well as a pavilion to the park. Today, the lake the theater and pavilion are all gone, but the land remains intact. Residents continue to enjoy the natural beauty of Latta Park.
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Reverend Billy Graham is probably one of the most well known evangelists in the world. This Charlotte native has been preaching to audiences since the 1950s. Reverend Graham's legacy extends beyond the city as he preaches a message of hope and love to millions of people throughout the globe.
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Streetcars or trolleys first appeared in Charlotte in 1887 as a mule-drawn operation. In 1891, The Charlotte Consolidated Construction Company, commonly known as the Four C's, contracted with the Edison Electric Company to install an electric trolley system. This mode of transportation connected Charlotte's various neighborhoods and remained popular until the advent of automobiles and buses. In March of 1938, streetcar No. 85 became the last trolley to run on the streets of Charlotte. Today good, old No. 85 continues to run from the Charlotte Trolley Museum as a means of creating interest in revitalizing the streetcar system. Many Charlotteans advocate the return of the streetcar as a means of easing the city's congested roads and highways.
View of one of the early trolleys.
The last trolley comes to a stop in 1938.
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The Charlotte Observer, as we know it today, began in 1886 when the Charlotte Chronicle started selling papers. In 1892, D.A. Tompkins and Joseph Pearson Caldwell purchased the Chronicle and renamed the paper the Daily Observer. Today, the Charlotte Observer is one of the leading sources of news in the south. Over the years, its staff of talented writers has received numerous awards for their achievements. The photograph below captures the legendary sports staff of the 1940s and 1950s, from left-to-right: Herman Helms, Sam Miller, Dick Pierce, Wilton Garrison and Richard Morris. 
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After the Civil War, there was a need for schools for blacks throughout the south. During a 1867 meeting of the Presbyterian Church, a mission school for blacks was established on land donated by Colonel W.R. Myers. Philanthropist Mary Biddle of Philadelphia donated a large amount of money to the institution and the school was named Biddle Memorial Institute in honor of her family. The name of the college changed to Johnson C. Smith on March 1, 1923 in recognition of the financial generosity of Jane Berry Smith whose donation was in honor of her late husband. The school continues to open doors for many young black students in search of a college education. Today Johnson C. Smith has an enrollment of 1,457 students. Let There Be Light is the school's motto.
Right: 1913 Football Team of Biddle University
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The first 250 mile automobile race at the Charlotte Speedway took place on October 24, 1924. The one and one quarter mile, oval wooden track cost $38,000 to build and was located in Pineville. The Charlotte Motor Speedway later moved to the Cabarrus County but retained the name Charlotte. The first World 600 took place on June 19, 1960. Joe Lee Johnson was the winner. NASCAR makes three stops in Charlotte with the Coca-Cola 600, the Winston Cup and the UAW GM Quality-500. It is the first super speedway in the country to offer night racing. In 1999, the Charlotte Motor Speedway changed its name to the Lowes' Charlotte Motor Speedway. This multimillion dollar sports center, features a 1.5 mile super speedway. 
A group of drivers pose on the original
wooden race track in Pineville. (c 1926)
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The Carrousel Parade has kicked off the holiday season in Charlotte every November since 1947. This bird's eye view of the parade was taken on November 22, 1956.
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Uptown Charlotte was active during the 1950s with businessmen, visitors and shoppers.
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WBTV, Charlotte's first television station, hit the airwaves on July 15, 1949. The station also has the distinction of being the first television station in North Carolina. The studios were located in the Wilder Building at that time. When WBTV received its license to broadcast, there were no television stations south of Washington, D.C. A flying American flag was the first image on the screen.
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The Trust Building on South Tryon Street was a six-story structure that housed a variety of businesses. The first floor was home to The Academy of Music. It opened its doors to the public on September 29, 1902 and
would serve as the leading entertainment venue for the next twenty years. Many traveling opera companies appeared at the Academy as well as Vaudeville shows and short movies. Sadly, a fire in 1922 destroyed the Trust Building and brought an end to much of the traveling live entertainment in Charlotte.
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One of the most popular parks in Charlotte is located off of East Boulevard. Freedom Park was built as a living monument to the Mecklenburg soldiers who died in World War II. completed in 1949, the memorium clearly states the intent of the city, "To all who served so fearlessly - and so gallantly gave the laughter from their hearts - that children might play in a happy world." Thousands of people visit the park each year to enjoy the many concerts and festivals, including Festival in the Park. On Easter Sunday, believers come together at the park for a traditional sun rise service.
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Charlotte’s first free library opened its doors in 1903. Designed in the
Neo-Classical tradition, it was built with funds from the Andrew Carnegie
Foundation. This building, shown above, served the city until 1954 when it was demolished to make way for a new building, which opened in 1956. Thirty years later this building was stripped and expanded until the library was nearly double its size. The present building, shown on the left, celebrated its grand opening on June 18, 1989.
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Not all changes have been embraced with open arms. Protesters picketed outside Judge James McMillan's home following his historical decision in Swann vs.The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, which led to the integration of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Judge McMillan endured death threats, as well as protesters because he believed in the law's ability to protect the rights of all citizens. Eventually the concept of desegregation became accepted within the community. Today, Judge McMillan, who died in 1995, is remembered for his legacy of courage and compassion which survived the protests.
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 North Carolina Medical College |
 Charlotte Sanatorium |
 Mercy Hospital |
 Presbyterian Hospital |
 Good Samaritan Hospital |
 Memorial Hospital |
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Saving Grace
Photograph courtesy of Shelia Bumgarner
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Yiasou!
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Henry Bridges' Legacy
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Bonnie Cone's Legacy
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The New City
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Curators: Tony Tallent & Shelia Bumgarner
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Charlotte has a tradition of preserving churches whose congregations have moved to other locations. Besides Spirit Square (First Baptist), there is The Great Aunt Stella Center (Tabernacle Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church). Soon the three-story Tryon Center for the Visual Arts, formerly the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, will become home to fifteen art studios. The Bank of America, previously NationsBank, is the major sponsor of the art center.
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Everyone loves Greece during the Yiasou Greek Festival which is held each Fall at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on East Boulevard. Food, dance, and music abound to entertain young and old alike. The children below are dressed in traditional Greek costumes and are lining up as they prepare to perform during the festival.
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The Community School of the Arts was founded in 1969 by Henry Bridges, who decided to bring together Charlotte's children and the pianos of the First Presbyterian Church. (Bridges was the choir director and organist for the church.) From its small beginnings, the school branched out to various locations throughout the city, bringing music education to young and old alike. Instruction in music, dance, the visual arts and other programs are available for a nominal fee, but no one is turned away because of lack of tuition. Bridges served as the Executive Director and piano instructor until his retirement in 1992. His legacy continues to serve the community and the thousands of students, like those seen in this photograph from 1974.
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The history of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte began in the basement of Central High School in 1946 as an extension program of the UNC system. Three years later when UNC tried to close the school, Bonnie Cone led the good fight to keep it open. Her efforts paid off and Charlotte College was established as a community college. Cone was instrumental in establishing the school as a four year college. In 1962, the school moved to its present location in the northern part of the county and became part of the UNC system in 1965 with an enrollment of 1,815. Bonnie Cone continues to be active in the University and has served as the Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs, as well as on the UNCC Foundation. Today there are 16,670 students at the university that boasts fifty-six master programs and twelve doctoral programs.
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A view of Charlotte today reveals handsome skyscrapers that are home to some of the leading financial institutions in the country. Many of the leaders of these banks have played in instrumental role in the changing face of Charlotte's skyline.
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Charlotte's Legacy Contributors
This exhibit appears as part of the Library’s Celebration of Legacy.
The Library appreciates the support of the following individuals, businesses and organizations who contributed their talents to this exhibit:
Betsy Ann’s Mobile Framing
Duke Energy
Stuart Grasberg
KPC Photography
Latin American Coalition
Mary Tribble Creations
Quality Chrome
Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room
Signs Now
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