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.
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 dedication 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 sunrise service.
This serene rural setting is now the site of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
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.
The Carrousel Parade kicked off the holiday season in Charlotte in November since 1947. This bird's eye view of the parade was taken on November 22, 1956.
Uptown Charlotte was active during the 1950s with businessmen, visitors and shoppers.
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, NC. 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. It is the first super speedway in the country to offer night racing. The Charlotte Motor Speedway changed its name to the “Lowes' Motor Speedway” from 1999-2009.
The Charlotte Observer 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.
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.
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). The First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church on North Tryon Street (pictured here) was converted into 15 artists' studios in 1999 and renamed the McColl Center for Visual Art in 2002.