Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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Industrial South 1879-1913

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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1897 - Banking Industry Grows

Without money to build and expand their facilities, businesses cannot grow. The Charlotte National Bank opens this year. It will lends funds, called capital, to help businesses become strong and healthy. The Charlotte National Bank will join with Winston-Salem's Wachovia Loan and Trust Company in 1939. It will then be known as Wachovia Bank and Trust.

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1900 Ivey's opens

February 18, 1900 - The Belk family department stores now have a competitor. J.B. Ivey opens a shop in Charlotte at North Tryon near Sixth Street. All retail employees work long hours. Some area stores are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Men earn $12 to $15 per week, women slightly less. Children work, too, earning 25 to 50 cents per day.

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