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Real Estate & Homes in Charlotte - Charlotte Information Charlotte Nicknamed “The Queen’s City”, Charlotte, North Carolina is the economic center for the entire east-coast state. Having recently taken the booming banking business from nearby Richmond, Virginia, Charlotte has become, according to many surveys, the fastest growing city in the United States and is the 2nd largest banking city in the United States. With a population of over one and a half a million people, Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and sits close to the border of South Carolina. Despite its rapid growth and surging population of 20-somethings, Charlotte natives know how to identify themselves among the crowd; they refer to themselves as “Charlotteans”. History Then known as a crossroads for Native American trade, the village soon to be known as Charlotte was incorporated in 1768 and divided into half-acres lots, which residents could purchase and develop. The population surged as families began creating their homesteads. One of those builders was Thomas Polk, a Scots-Irishman and Uncle to President James Polk. In 1775, Polk built his homestead at the crossroads of the local Native American trade routes. This house and the area surrounding it came to be known as the village of Charlotte Town, named after the present British King George III’s wife Charlotte. The crossroads area where Polk built his home is now a part of uptown Charlotte. The trading routes used by Native American traders are still used as main thoroughfares in the city of Charlotte; they have been renamed Trade Street and Tyrone Street. Polk Park, the former home of Thomas Polk, now stands on the corners on these streets as a tribute to the city’s past. On May 20, 1775, Townsmen drafted and signed a Proclamation of Independence from their British ruler, King George. Though the document was drafted and sent to the King, there has never been any evidence that the King ever signed the Proclamation…or even received it. Yet, many townspeople of the time believed that Thomas Jefferson “borrowed” some of the content for his own Declaration of Independence. They claimed that the similarities between the two documents were too great to be a ruled a mere coincidence. Less than two weeks after drafting their Proclamation of Independence, on May 31, 1775, the townsmen came together again to create the Mecklenburg Resolve. This Resolve was a set of laws by which leaders were called upon to govern the independent town and is the same rules that are still held sacred by Charlotteans. Charlotte served as a crucial center point during the Revolutionary War. It’s prime location near waterways and points in both the North and South of the New World made it a strategic stronghold fought after by both the British and American Armies. During the War, General George Cornwallis nicknamed the Village of Charlotte town “The Hornet’s Nest” because of the skirmishes between Charlotteans and British Troops. Does the name sound familiar? A modern day NBA team based in Charlotte has taken on the symbol of the Hornet as their mascot. 1799 was a monumental year for Charlotte, as it was the year that a young boy brought home a shiny gold rock to his family from the river where he had been fishing. The family placed the rock by a door in the home and used it as a weighted doorstop for three years. One day, a jeweler friend who had been visiting the boy’s family, identified the rock as being comprised of solid gold metal. The family was stepping over a massive chunk of expensive ore and didn’t even realize it! The 1799 discovery was the first confirmation that gold existed in the United States and ultimately led to the colonization of the West and positioning of the New World as a potentially global financial stronghold. Shortly following the “golden” discovery, it came as no surprise to the U.S. that the government built a branch of the U.S. mint in Charlotte in 1837, the city where the US gold rush really began. Then, in 1861, just as the Civil War was getting started, Confederate soldiers seized the Charlotte Mint and closed it. The mint has never been re-opened, yet the same building still stands today and is home to the Mint Museum of Art. Between the years of 1930, and 1990, many of Charlotte’s historical buildings were torn down in the name of citywide reconstruction and progress. Industrialism quickly spread throughout the southern city-gem, putting the evolution of the former economic hotbed on pause as the city reexamined its resources and direction. The historic buildings that have been torn down include the Bank of Mercantile, circa 1840, Carnegie Library, circa 1885 and The Federal Post Office, also used as the Federal Building, circa 1881. In total, more than 30 historical buildings in the small town of Charlotte have been demolished in the past century. Noting the progressive change, many Charlotteans feel a part of their history was sacrificed to make way for modern times and undue industrialism. One of the few remaining historical homes left in Charlotte is the Rosedale Plantation, circa 1892. The Plantation was originally on the campus of Thompson Orphanage but is now situated beneath the trees near St. Mary's Chapel in Thompson Park. The St. Mary’s Chapel itself is a small historical gem, seating only 125 people in its antique pews. Thompson Park is an outdoor Mecca for Charlotteans that has significant historical importance to the region as well. Aside from being home to a popular outdoor gazebo and the Charlotte Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Thompson Park is the former family farm owned by the Dowd family. Built in 1879, this historic home, know as the Dowd House, was once at the center of a 250-acre farm, as it established the land for what would become the Park. The Dowd House is the childhood home of Willis Frank Dowd, founder of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, and William Carey Dowd, former publisher of The Charlotte News. Owning up to its historical roots, the Dowd House also played an important role in World War I as it served as the U.S. Army's headquarters during the construction of the 2,500 acre Camp Greene, which housed more than 60,000 soldiers. Fast Facts City Population: 632,760
Charlotte has noted an influx of young families amongst its population in recent years. Indeed, the economy continues to grow strongly, making for a thriving business community. Residents enjoy participating in a spectrum of activities - from the fast paced, cosmopolitan-style activities that Charlotte’s business district offers, or the slower pace life found in the suburbs and surrounding neighborhoods. In short, Charlotte residents agree that Charlotte is a city that has it all. Aligning with its historically southern small-town charm, visitors will find trees lining quiet old-home neighborhoods. Neighbors and strangers alike stop to say hello and all enjoy an evening spent beneath the silhouette of their city’s skyline. Charlotteans find this city to be an ideal blend of mid-century nostalgia and modern-day progress and are proud to call it home. Like in many other cities, the laid back attitude is left at the office door as one enters the workplace. Business is fast paced, competitive and goal-oriented in Charlotte. Yet the rewards of a hard-day’s work seem to pay off far more than many other spots on the globe; Charlotteans take their off-time very seriously, whether it involved simply spending an evening enjoying a casual dinner at home, or hitting the nearby mountain biking trails for an early evening workout Attractions Carowinds. Located in the heart of Charlotte, is a much-loved theme park that is designed to entertain the entire family. The park features live shows that include “real life” depictions of favorite cartoon characters mixed with popular music. There are over 20 rides and roller coasters for the entire family to enjoy together, including daunting thrill rides for the daring. Also located within the Carowinds Park is a popular water park, complete with tall slides, a wave pool and kiddie park. The water park is a huge part of this amusement park, as it takes up 13 acres and offers something wet and exciting to do around every corner. Charlotte is home to dozens of well-maintained parks and gardens. The outdoor destinations are the pride and joy of Charlotte; they offer mid-city getaways to both tourists and residents that are beautiful, calm and picturesque. One local botanical favorite is McGill Rose Garden, a timeless botanical garden that residents frequent year round. One of the greatest attractions in Charlotte is the Rosedale Plantation, built in 1815 by Archibald Frew, a merchant, postmaster and tax collector. Rosedale was originally part of a nine hundred and eleven acre plantation that has been divided innumerable times over the years. One notable resident of Rosedale Plantation was Dr. D.T. Caldwell, who lived in on the plantation in 1830. With the help of his slaves, Dr. Caldwell operated the plantation while also maintaining a strong medical practice that was attended by many of the ailing in Charlotte. As one of the only doctors in town at the time, Rosedale became a well-known location in the town of Charlotte, frequented, no doubt, by over half of the residents at the time. Today, Rosedale is international renowned for being one of the finest examples of the Federal period Architecture. It is in remarkably well-kept shape and still boasts of having three rooms that have the original wallpaper still hanging. The gardens and grounds on the plantation have been maintained throughout the years by dedicated teams of landscapers and gardeners trained in the art of preservation. While once being a destination for the sick and impaired, Rosedale is now a destination for young families, lovers and Sunday strollers. Charlotte has something for the avid science lover as well. The Discovery Place is popular hands-on science center where children and families are encouraged discover and indulge in the world of science. For those looking for an otherworldly experience, the Planetarium offers a chance for them to view the stars and planets, and all the wonders of the universe with a narrated outer-space tour. To keep things fresh, exhibits rotate in and out of The Discover Place on a regular basis. Not to be overlooked, the history of flight also has a special home in this part of the country. The Wright brothers make aviation history in nearby Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 12, 1903 as they flew their very first plane across the tall sand dunes. The Aviation Museum in Charlotte holds a replica of the plane the brothers made history with at Kitty Hawk. Visitors of the Aviation Museum are also invited to read about the Wright brother’s story along with other important developments to the world of flight. Charlotte is a pioneering city in the recognition of deceased children. Children’s Memorial Walkway, located in Frazier Park, is an ongoing project for the parents of children who have died. The Walkway began when a small group of grieving parents of deceased children in Mecklenburg County asked the city to allow them to turn a part of the park into a memorial for their children. The three compelling reasons for creating this park were to: 1. Reassure grieving parents that their child will never be forgotten; 2: to provide a positive place for friends and family to gather to remember a child, regardless of race and income; 3: to provide a place for the community to gather and remember those who the have lost. The parents’ wish came true on December 7, 1999 when they were given permission to create the tribute by placing bricks on the walkway for children who have died. The project organizer, Jerry Mudge, gathered a group of Charlotteans with people from all around the country to contribute small sums of money towards the Walkway’s creation. Since its inception in 1999, the Walkway has grown to include over 12,000 bricks that tell the name and biography of a deceased child. The Walkway will be complete when the group reaches its goal of displaying a total of 20,000 bricks, honoring the lives of deceased children. Included in the memorial, there are also 3 benches for park-goers to relax, cherry trees and flowers for people to look at, and shrubs and monkey grass for people to stand in. The park is truly a holistic experience, made possible by a consortium of local parents. This Walkway is widely acknowledged as being the most heart wrenching attraction in Charlotte. Every year, it draws in thousands of visitors who read the words dedicated to the lived of the children whose names are engraved in the bricks. Arts & Culture Charlotteanns prize their freedom to indulge themselves in the arts. The city itself is quickly becoming acknowledged, as one of the most creative cities in the U.S. It’s no wonder why when one takes a look through the strong listings of cultural centers, centers for performing arts, and the theatres. Among the many cultural hotspots that are found in Charlotte is the African-American Cultural Center. The Cultural Center has been growing strong since 1974 with its diverse calendar of programming geared towards educating patrons through music, dance, and theatre. Within the Center, one can find programs for children and teenagers, along with a strong line-up of jazz and blues concerts for adults. One of the most frequently visited museums in Charlotte is the Charlotte Museum of History. Charlotteans and tourists alike visit this spot to take in an overview of the history of the area, which includes a strong focus on the Native American influences that built Charlotte into the crossroads it became. Most of the museum’s exhibits are permanent, and feature exhibits geared towards developments in the U.S. from the 18th century through the 20th century. The Nature Museum is a regional favorite that features stories about plants and animals that are indigenous to the East Coast region. Children can enjoy learning about local amphibians and reptiles while their parents can enjoy learning about the true nature of the local wildlife. Sports & Recreation Charlotte, North Carolina boasts of its reputation as a diverse and nationally competitive sports hub. From the national Football League to NASCAR and Baseball, Charlotte has a team competing in every major sport. The Carolina Panthers were voted into the National Football League as the 29th team to enter the NFL. In 1995, they played their first-ever game on their own turf: the Bank of America Stadium, located in the heart of downtown Charlotte. Bank Of America Stadium was truly designed with the football lovers of Charlotte at heart. The football field can be clearly seen by every spectator and any angle, anywhere in the stadium and can seat 73,258 persons. The total cost to build the cost state-of-the art stadium was approximately 187 million dollars. Another spectator sport that draws fans from all over the country is Stock Car racing. Every year Lowe’s Motor Speedway located in Charlotte, hosts three Nascar Nextel cup events – and what popular events they are! The Lowe’s Speedway spectator capacity is 207,000 and there is rarely a cold seat. The Lowe’s speedway is nationally recognized as being one of the finest in the whole United States. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) also has helped to make history of Charlotte as they helped Charlotte obtain one of the few all-women basketball teams in the nation. The team, the Charlotte 49ers, was inaugurated in 1997 amid mixed feelings about the success of such a team. Yet the team soon learned that women’s basketball had a home; in a single game, there were often nearly 19,000 fans in the stands. Charlotte also has its own basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA): the Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats made their debut in the 2004-2005 NBA season. The home games continue to be played at the Charlotte Coliseum until the 2005-2006 season when the new Charlotte Arena will be complete. Not to be missed, Charlotte is also home to a minor league baseball team: the Charlotte Knights. The Knights are an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and participate at the highest level of play available in the minor leagues. Every game played at the Charlotte Coliseum a major event, drawing a crowd of approximately 5,000 fans at every game. There is something for every sports fan in Charlotte, from football to golf. Charlotteans make sure that fans of all sports are happy.
Charlotte’s educational background is rich with stories of segregation and progress. In 1790, the Sugar Creek School House opened as the first parochial school to come to Charlotte. As was the case with most schoolhouses of its day, the Sugar Creek School was one room in which all students were education together. Educational opportunities were only available for men and were primarily designed to train them for a profession. In Charlotte, there were also a number of business schools available to the elite, including Charlotte Commercial College, Kings Business College, and the Wharton Normal and Industrial College. There were two four-year colleges near Charlotte, Biddle University and Davidson College. (The present-day North Carolina Medical College relocated from Davidson College in 1907.) The Bethesda School House was built at the end of the Civil War for the African American children who had won the right to be educated with the ending of the Civil War. The schoolhouse is the only remaining artifact of the school that dates back to the Civil War. In 1882, TJ Mitchell was named the first superintendent of schools and served as the superintendent until 1886 when professor JT Corleau was named superintendent. In 1898 Dr. Alexander Graham was named as the 3rd superintendent of what was believed to be the largest public school system south of Baltimore – a far removed school system from the one-room Sugar Creek Schoolhouse that began it all only a century before. 1918 brought turmoil to the teachers of not only Charlotte, but to teachers throughout the United States as it was the year that states certification of teachers became a requirement of their employment. The most recent development to the Charlotte public school system occurred in 2004 when the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public School Foundation was created in response to the rapid growth of the school-aged population. The purpose of this foundation is to make sure that there is a teacher for every classroom. Due to the influx of Spanish-speaking persons not only in Charlotte, but also in the whole U.S., Spanish is taught hand-in-hand with English in the public school system. The theory behind this bi-lingual approach is that it is mutually beneficial to both the Spanish speaking and English-speaking students to be able to understand one another and one another’s culture. The current public school system is among the best in the nation, overseeing 15 high schools. Newsweek Magazine’s “Top 100 Schools” list ranked Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg high schools in the top 100, and 15 high schools in the top 900 amongst the nearly 30,000 high schools in the country. In addition to the public school system, there are nearly 60 private schools, enrolling over 20,000 students in their curriculum There are ten Universities located in Charlotte, including Wingate, Winthrop and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Additionally, there are nine private liberal arts colleges and ten community colleges in the area. Festivals Dining Even though the city of Charlotte has seen a boom in the population, especially the population of younger generations, the Charlotte industrial market is going through a recession. Therefore, the city has helped landlords spawn development by helping them offer incentives such as free rent and short-term options. The good news is for the buyer: home sellers are accepting prices well below building costs or tax values. Thus, despite the down market, tenants, buyers, and investors can find excellent opportunities to capitalize on lower lease rates, property prices and record-low interest rates on mortgages. To help create some upward momentum in the economy, the State and local governments have begun offering tax incentives and tax credits to attract new businesses to the region. Like homebuyers, businesses are finding that they can capitalize on cheaper real estate, more tax incentives, and abundance of available talented labor. The economic changes are already beginning to take place. After a year of test-piloting the incentive program, the Charlotte business-office market showed healthy signs of improvement. Vacancy rates that have already begun to stabilize should begin to steadily decline as the economy gains momentum. Surprisingly, with all of the citywide vacancies, the vacancy rate has stayed in single digits, a number that is well below the national average. Banking is still the strongest industry in Charlotte. Having taken the bulk of the banking business fro nearby Richmond, VA in recent decades, the city continues to develop itself into a strong financial powerhouse. The main economic drivers of the downtown Central Business District are the Bank of America, Wachovia, and Duke Energy. The overall office space vacancy amount in the suburbs of Charlotte is expected to remain in double digits until space becomes more of a hot commodity, both in the business district of downtown and in the sprawling suburbs. As such, tenants will continue to enjoy heavy government-sponsored incentives, such as free rent and generous capital improvements to the structure of the office. Due now in part to these generous incentives, Charlotte is continuing to be a destination for corporate expansions and relocations from regions all over the U.S. In 2003, Lowe's Companies, Inc. opened a 400,000-square-foot corporate facility in north Charlotte and the Armament and Technical Products division of General Dynamics announced that its development plans included relocating its headquarters to Charlotte, creating an estimated 400 jobs. In 2005, Charlotte was in contention for the NASCAR hall of fame, a move that, if received, would drive both sporting industry-traffic and hall-of-fame seekers to the town.
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