Written by Jen Baehr – Charlotte Historic Preservation
Honoring Charlotte’s Historic Landmarks
Every year in May, local historic preservation groups, historical societies, businesses, and civic organizations across the country celebrate Preservation Month. This year’s theme, “Harnessing the Power of Place,” recognizes the many ways that preservation work strengthens communities, revitalizes neighborhoods, supports sustainability, and connects us through shared history. The Charlotte Historic District Commission (HDC) celebrated this year’s theme by showcasing some of the City’s 45 locally designated landmarks located in Charlotte’s local historic districts. Throughout the month of May, the HDC highlighted these landmarks with a series of social media posts on the Charlotte Planning, Design, and Development Department’s Instagram page (@cltplanning). The local landmarks featured include a variety of property types, such as a cemetery, school, single-family houses, apartments, commercial buildings, and monuments. This blog post expands on the Instagram posts by sharing more in-depth stories of the people and events that make each of these local landmarks special and significant to the City’s history. The following information has been gathered from the extensive work of historian Dr. Tom Hanchett and the landmark designation reports on file with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission.
McCrorey Heights
Designated as a local historic district in 2022, McCrorey Heights holds an important place in Charlotte’s history. The neighborhood was home to many leaders of the Civil Rights movement, both locally and nationally. Two homes—the residences of Dr. Robert H. Greene and Dr. Reginald A. Hawkins—are designated local landmarks and honor the legacy of two of Charlotte’s most influential African American leaders.
Dr. Robert H. Greene House
The Dr. Robert H. Greene House at 2001 Oaklawn Avenue was built in 1936 and became a local landmark in 2009. This well-preserved Colonial Revival home is one of the few surviving pre–World War II examples of the style associated with Charlotte’s African American community. Dr. Greene was a respected physician in Charlotte and across the state. He opened his own medical practice on Brevard Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Uptown, and he also served as staff physician at Good Samaritan Hospital, now the site of Bank of America Stadium. His Civil Rights work included participating in the successful 1951 lawsuit to desegregate the Revolution Park golf course. The case drew national attention and helped overturn deed covenants that barred African Americans from public parks.
Dr. Reginald A. Hawkins House
The Dr. Reginald A. Hawkins House located at 1703 Madison Avenue was the built in 1953 and designated as local landmark in 2019. In addition to being the home where Dr. Hawkins lived with his wife and children, the house functioned as the command center for Dr. Hawkins’ activities during his two decades of Civil Rights work. Dr. Hawkins was one of Charlotte’s most prominent and tireless activists during the Civil Rights movement. He played a central role in the integration of Charlotte schools, hospitals, the airport and more. One of Dr. Hawkins’ greatest efforts was his role in the series of actions that culminated in the landmark Swann v Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court case that brought court-ordered busing to the nation. Targeted in the 1965 bombings of Civil Rights leaders’ homes, Dr. Hawkins’ house serves as a powerful symbol of resilience in the face of violence and hate.
Fourth Ward
Settler’s Cemetery
Designated in 1976, Charlotte’s first local historic district, Fourth Ward contains some of the city’s oldest and most significant places. Settler’s Cemetery, located at 200 W. Trade Street, became a local landmark in 1984 due to its importance as Charlotte’s first municipal cemetery and as the resting place for founding families, enslaved persons, industrialists, entrepreneurs, and soldiers. Established in the 1760s, the cemetery served as the city’s main burial ground until Elmwood Cemetery opened in the 1860s. Today, this hilltop site sits among churches and skyscrapers, offering a peaceful, park-like space for residents, visitors, and Uptown workers.
Crowell-Berryhill Store
Built in the 1890s, the Crowell-Berryhill Store—now Alexander Michael’s Restaurant and Tavern—was designated as a local landmark in 1982. Located at 401 W. 9th Street, the former corner store has had many uses over time, including a grocery, laundry, and auto body shop. It remains the only surviving turn-of-the-century grocery store in Uptown. By the mid-1970s, the building had deteriorated and faced demolition. Fortunately, it was preserved and underwent major renovations that restored its original appearance. The Crowell-Berryhill Store now stands as an excellent example of sensitive adaptive reuse, demonstrating how historic buildings can serve contemporary needs while honoring the past.
Plaza Midwood
Designated in 1992, the vibrant and eclectic Plaza Midwood local historic district features some of the neighborhood’s most architecturally significant properties.
Bishop John C. Kilgo House
The Bishop John C. Kilgo House at 2100 The Plaza was built in 1915 and designated a local landmark in 2008. Designed by noted Charlotte architect Louis H. Asbury, the home blends Colonial Revival and Craftsman styles through its balanced hip roof, front porch with Tuscan columns and brackets, and deep eaves with exposed rafter tails. As one of the first homes constructed in Chatham Estates (now Plaza Midwood), the house reflects the community’s early development. Its first owner, Bishop John C. Kilgo, was a Methodist minister and president of Trinity College (now Duke University). The property once included enslaved quarters, but they have been demolished. Although the home has evolved over time, it remains a well-preserved and unique architectural landmark in the neighborhood.
VanLandingham Estate
Located just across the street at the corner of The Plaza and Belvedere Avenue, the VanLandingham Estate was built in 1913 and designated a local landmark in 1977. Architects Charles Christian Hook and William G. Rogers designed the residence in the Californian Bungalow style, which was popular at the time. This large two-story home is a rare local example of the bungalow form adapted to an impressive scale, a notable departure from the style’s typically modest origins. The estate is also renowned for its expansive gardens, long regarded as among the most noteworthy in Charlotte.
Dilworth
The largest of the City’s local historic districts, Dilworth was developed as Charlotte’s first suburb and was connected to the Uptown area by Charlotte’s first electric streetcar. The Dilworth neighborhood is characterized by its curved roads, mature tree canopy, and diversity of architectural styles. The local landmarks known as the City House and Myrtle Square Apartments reflect how housing evolved to fit the needs of the growing City during the first half of the 20th century.
City House
The City House at 500 E. Kingston Avenue was built in 1909 and was designated as a local landmark in 2006. The City House is one of the oldest residences in Charlotte, which was originally designed as a duplex. The City House name comes from prominent Charlotte architect Charles C. Hook, who encouraged the building of adjoining residences, which he referred to as “city houses”. Some of the City House’s earliest residents included teachers, dressmakers, and factory workers. Though the building was divided into several apartments over time, in the 1980s it was restored to its original appearance, for which the owners received an award from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission.
Myrtle Square Apartments
The Myrtle Square Apartments at 1121 Myrtle Avenue were built in 1939 and designated a local landmark in 2007. The apartments are a rare local example of the Art Moderne architectural style, featuring glass block, porthole windows, decorative ironwork, and clean geometric lines. The layout of the complex stands as one of Charlotte’s most sophisticated examples of the garden court multi-family housing type.
The garden court concept preserves open green space by concentrating housing into larger multi-family complexes, or “super blocks,” that connect with the natural environment. This planning approach gained popularity in Europe as communities responded to severe housing shortages brought on by World War I and rapid industrialization. The Myrtle Square Apartments reflect Charlotte’s own transformation in the 20th century, as the city expanded quickly due to the textile industry. This growth created an urgent need for multi-family housing, a trend that continues to shape Charlotte today.
Hermitage Court
Tucked within the Myers Park neighborhood, Hermitage Court is the smallest of Charlotte’s local historic districts, with about 36 properties. Two sites—the Simmons House and the Hermitage Court Gateways—are locally designated landmarks.
Simmons House
The Simmons House at 625 Hermitage Court was designated a local landmark in 2021. Built in 1913, it is one of the oldest homes in Myers Park, which was among the first planned suburban developments outside Charlotte. The house stands as one of the city’s most significant examples of Neoclassical Revival architecture, featuring a symmetrical façade, a full-height portico supported by Ionic columns, and classical ornamentation. Constructed for attorney and developer Floyd Macon Simmons for $12,000, the home has evolved over time through additions and alterations. Despite these changes, many original architectural features remain, reflecting the craftsmanship and care that shaped its construction.
Hermitage Court Gateways
The Hermitage Court Gateways, located at the east and west entrances to the street, were built in 1912 and designated a local landmark in 1981. Scottish stonemasons constructed the gateways using granite and red mortar, drawing inspiration from the entrance to President Andrew Jackson’s home in Nashville. Designed to set the tone for the new stately development, the gateways continue to serve as defining architectural features that welcome residents and visitors into Hermitage Court.
Wesley Heights
Designated as a local historic district in 1994, Wesley Heights is an early 20th‑century streetcar suburb known for its brick and frame bungalow-style homes. Against this backdrop, Calvin Neal and Wadsworth Houses stand out in this neighborhood.
Calvin Neal House
Built in 1927 and designated a local landmark in 2003, the Calvin Neal House at 612 and 614 Walnut Avenue is notable for its extensive use of stone across nearly the entire exterior. Likely constructed from stock building plans, the home reflects how post–World War I homeowners personalized their houses during the housing boom. Advances in construction during the late 19th and early 20th centuries made materials like wood, brick, and glass more accessible, while stone remained costly and typically reserved for grand civic or commercial buildings. As a result, the Neal House is an unusual and distinctive example of residential stone construction in Charlotte.
Wadsworth House
Designated a local landmark in 1994, the Wadsworth House at 400 S. Summit Avenue was built in 1911 and is one of the earliest homes in Wesley Heights. Its scale, hilltop setting, and refined Arts and Crafts design distinguish it from the surrounding bungalows. The original servant quarters and carriage house remain behind the home, which is a rare surviving building type in Charlotte.
The large two and a half story residence was first owned by George Pierce Wadsworth, a pioneer in Charlotte’s streetcar and livestock industries. It later became home to Judge Shirley Fulton, the first African American female prosecutor in Mecklenburg County and the first African American woman to serve on North Carolina’s Superior Court bench. Judge Fulton was an important community leader. She played an instrumental role in helping Wesley Heights achieve its local historic district designation. The current owners completed an extensive restoration in 2021, earning an award from the Charlotte Museum of History.
Wilmore
Designated as a local historic district in 2010, Wilmore grew from farmland surrounding the Rudisill Gold Mine, which powered the nation’s first gold rush in the mid‑19th century. Today, Wilmore is primarily a single‑family neighborhood, though it also includes duplexes, apartments, and institutional and commercial buildings. The Wilmore Elementary School, designated in 2018, is the neighborhood’s only local landmark and serves as a lasting symbol of its history.
As Wilmore’s working class population expanded, the community opened Wilmore Elementary School in 1925. It was the only school ever built in the neighborhood. The building was designed by noted local architect Louis H. Asbury. Over time, the school underwent several expansions and renovations as community needs evolved. In 1970, it was desegregated following the landmark Swann v. Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education Supreme Court case. Although the school closed in 1978, its story continues. Plans are underway to redevelop the site and incorporate the building into a mixed use project, ensuring its legacy endures. This preservation success was made possible through the work of Preservation North Carolina, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to protecting historic buildings threatened by demolition.
Oaklawn Park
Designated as a local historic district in December 2020, Oaklawn Park holds deep roots in Charlotte’s Civil Rights, education, and cultural history. Although the neighborhood does not currently have any locally designated landmarks, the homes of Reverend Calvin and Anna Hood, Dr. Mary T. Harper, and Dr. C. W. Williams are strong candidates for future landmark status because of their association with influential community leaders.
Rev. Calvin and Anna Hood House
Rev. Calvin and Anna Hood purchased their home at 1327 Orvis Street in 1957 with a GI mortgage, federal funding that helped many veterans buy homes after World War II. They worked with the original developer, the Ervin Company, to select interior finishes, paint colors, window treatments, and other personal touches. Rev. Hood was a professor at Johnson C. Smith University and a leading figure in Charlotte’s Civil Rights movement, marching in Selma and advocating for integration in local hospitals and restaurants. His wife, Anna Hood, was also a trailblazer. She was the first person of color hired at Charlotte’s Social Security office, a co‑founder and past president of the Charlotte Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc., and a civic leader who helped pave the way for African American women in government.
Dr. Mary T. Harper House
Dr. Mary T. Harper lived in the home at 1323 Dean Street. As one of the first African American professors at UNC Charlotte, she helped develop the University’s African American Studies program. Her leadership extended into the broader community, where she served as a co‑founder of the Harvey Gantt Center for African American Art and Culture. Dr. Harper purchased the Dean Street home when it was first built and lived there until 2020.
Dr. C.W. Williams House
Though he lived at 1418 Russell Avenue only briefly, the home represents an important chapter in the life of Dr. C. W. Williams, one of Charlotte’s most influential medical leaders. He became the first African American physician to practice at Charlotte Memorial Hospital, now Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, and worked to expand access to healthcare in underserved communities. After leaving Oaklawn Park, Dr. Williams moved to a larger home in the Hyde Park neighborhood, which he co‑developed with Dr. Walter Washington. His legacy continues through the C. W. Williams Community Health Center, founded in 1981.
Charlotte’s history is rich, and the landmarks featured in this article highlight places that deserve to be honored and celebrated. Through the stewardship of homeowners and the important work of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmark Commission and Charlotte’s Historic District Commission, these sites continue to tell the stories of some of the city’s most influential residents. For more information about local historic districts and local landmarks, please contact the Charlotte Historic District Commission at charlottehdc@charlottenc.gov.
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