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1585 - Ralph Lane Colony

Ralph Lane established a colony on Hatteras Island on July 27, 1585. The expedition comprised of 108 male settlers, eventually makes its way to Roanoke Island. One year later, the threat of an Indian uprising coincides with the arrival of Sir Francis’s Drakes’ fleet off the Carolina. The members of the Lane Colony quickly decide to take advantage of the opportunity and return home to England.

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1770 - Designing a City

Surveyors mark off the locations of Charlotte's streets in a block pattern called a grid. The four sections defined by the crossing of Trade and Tryon streets will evolve into four areas, called wards. In years to come, each of the wards will change tremendously. Economic, racial and political issues will determine which buildings survive and which are destroyed.

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March 6, 1773 - King's Power

King George III is still unhappy with the colonists and their desire for independence. On this day it is announced in New Bern that he has rejected a bill passed over two years previously that established a "seminary for learning" in Charlotte. When he revokes the charter for Queens College, he also takes away the right of Presbyterian ministers to perform marriages. There is increasing ill will toward Britain.

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1607 - Brave New World

Jamestown, Virginia becomes the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

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1587 - John White Colony

John White establishes a colony on Roanoke Island on July 22, 1587. It is there on August 18th that Virginia Dare, daughter of Ananias and Eleanor White Dare is born. She is the first child born to English parents America. Sadly, John White returns to England for more provisions, but England is at war with Spain, and it is not until 1590 that he returns to Roanoke Island. There is no sign of the 110 settlers, including Virginia Dare. The Lost Colony becomes one of the greatest mysteries in American history.

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1750 - Hardship for Natives

Some settlers are afraid of the Indians, who look different and practice unfamiliar customs. Some Indians resent their new neighbors, who have invaded their tribal hunting lands. As a result of frequent battles with other tribes and with settlers, the number of Indians drops dramatically. Diseases brought by the colonists, such as smallpox, chicken pox, measles and yellow fever cause the deaths of many more Native Americans.

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1774 - Will of the People

September 5, 1774 - Delegates from the all 13 colonies (except Georgia) and Canada travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They form the First Continental Congress, and plan how they will respond to the Intolerable Acts. Still hoping to restore harmony with Britain, they send a petition to King George III.

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1609 - In Search of Land

Virginia settlers push their way southward into the Nansemond River Valley and Albemarle Sound region thus opening the doors for settlement in the colony known as Carolana.

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1771 - First College

Queens College opens to train young men who will become ministers. But there will be problems when King George III refuses to grant the charter which will approve the school's operation. Later, the school's name will change to Queens Museum and will be followed by Liberty Hall.

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1775 - Mecklenburg Resolves

May 31, 1775 - Since all laws imposed by England are suspended, the 27 signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence hurriedly meet again. They draft the Mecklenburg Resolves, which are new laws that will govern the now independent Mecklenburgers. Even those who doubt the existence of the Meck Dec cannot deny the Mecklenburg Resolves.

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