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JANUARY 1998

Blakeney House Update

This drawing was prepared by Yelverton Architects. It will be used to decide what modifications will need to be made to the James A. Blakeney House. This will come before the Historic Landmarks Commission at its February meeting.

Final drawings for the restoration of the mill houses on Patterson St. in North Charlotte and the Blakeney House on Blakeney Heath Road will be presented to the Design Review Committee of the Historic Landmarks Commission on January 21st. Look for work to begin on all of these structures in March or April.

Addition to HLC Study List

The Historic Landmarks Commission has placed the Textile Mill Supply Company Building on the Study List for designation as a historic landmark. Designed by Lockwood Greene & Associates of Greenville, S.C., the building went into service in 1922. It served as a warehouse for textile supplies, like pulleys, belts, lubricants, etc. This building is a part of Charlotte's textile history.

Black History Month Guide

We have created a guide sheet for those interested in black history. It has links to all related resources on this site: structures, essays, tour routes, teaching materials, and more. This page will be a useful reference for those studying black history.

Updates

This should be the year of the trolley. City Council will vote, probably in March, to begin the process of funding the construction of a bridge across Stonewall Street and upfitting the track between the Atherton Mill and 11th St. Charlotte Trolley, the non-profit organization that operates the streetcars, will be ready to meet this greatly expanded challenge. Stay tuned.

Efforts are underway to secure funding from the State to restore the Dr. George E. Davis House on Campus St. This was the home of the first African American professor at Johnson C. Smith University, then Biddle Institute. Dr. Davis was also a leader in establishing Rosenwald Schools throughout North Carolina in the early twentieth century.

The appraisal has arrived for the Croft Schoolhouse near Huntersville. Dr. Morrill will be visiting the owners soon to discuss how this important landmark might be preserved.

FEBRUARY 1998

Rural Properties Plan Approved

On February 3rd the Board of County Commissioners approved an implementation plan for the preservation of rural historic buildings and landscapes. This is a direct outgrowth of the Rural Historic Resources Study conducted last summer by the Historic Landmarks Commission. Here are the main points of the plan.

1. A program of designating properties as local historic landmarks and listing them in the National Register of Historic Places will continue.

2. Amendments to local zoning ordinances to give greater protection to rural historic properties, including landscapes, will be investigated.

3. The Historic Landmarks Commission will conduct a series of public hearings to determine the most important historic rural resources in Mecklenburg County -- those that we cannot afford to lose.

4. The Historic Landmarks Comission will prepare a capital budget request for additional money for its historic preservation revolving fund.

5. Greater efforts will be make to coordinate the location of parks, schools and other public facilities where they can help preserve historic rural resources.

This could make an enormous difference in Mecklenburg County's historic preservation movement. Stay tuned for additional information.

Updates

Last Summer we reported that the 1911 Fountain in Elmwood Cemetery would be moved to a new site. Well, the decision has been made. It will move to the building that you see rising in the 100 block of West Morehead Street. Stay tuned for more details.

The joint public hearings with the Charlotte City Council to consider historic landmark designation for the Atherton Cotton Mills and the Addison Apartments Buildings will occur on March 16th. We will let you know what happens.

We also reported on the refurbishment of the Lillian Arhelger Memorial in Independence Park. That too is occurring. Take a look the next time you are driving along East 7th Street or Hawthorne Lane.

Big news on the W. T. Alexander Slave Cemetery. The developer will be working with the Historic Landmarks Commission to preserve the site and make it accessible to the public. The cemetery, now hidden deep in the woods on the south side of Mallard Creek Church Road, will become the centerpiece of an apartment complex.

The Historic Landmarks Commission owns two silverside buses. Arrangements are being made to move them to the old Trolley Barn on South Blvd. We need help to get one of them rolling again.

MARCH 1998

Found on East Trade Street

The Historic Landmarks Commission was asked to take a look at some old underground pipeline and culvert on East Trade St. recently. Work crews from Duke Energy were tearing up the street to lay new cable and came upon this historic artifact. My guess is that this system was installed either in 1887, when the horse-drawn streetcars were going into service, or in 1891, when the electric streetcars started up. Also, E. Trade St. was a fashionable residential street in the early 1900's. In those days it was known as East Ave.

On The Move...

On February 27, 1998, the Historic Landmarks Commission towed its two GMC Fishbowl buses from the Thrift Mill to the former Trolley Barn on South Boulevard. Plans are still being developed for their eventual use.

Gluyas House Efforts Underway

The Historic Landmarks Commission is trying to save the Gluyas House on Mt. Holly Huntersville Road. The oldest part of the house is a log structure built in the mid nineteenth century. The Commission is negotiating with the developer about purchase.

The farm also contains a tenant house. These were once common in Mecklenburg County. Very few survive. The Commission will try to save it too.

Updates

Look in the Leader for March 13, 1998. There is a feature article on the James A. Blakeney House that the Commission is restoring.

Sad news. The Foundation was unsuccessful in its attempt to get a $25,000 grant from the State for the expansion and development of the website. The grant would have allowed us to put a great deal more information on the site, including historic photographs. As you know, it is expensive to purchase hard drive space and to scan in hard copy. We will be seeking other sources of revenue.

The County Commission approved a rezoning that will assure the preservation of the Alexander Slave Cemetery. The developers of a new apartment complex agreed to cooperate with having the cemetery designated as a historic landmark and will institute deed covenants that will assure on-going protection for this significant historic site.

The Charlotte City Council voted on March 16th to designate the Atherton Cotton Mills and the Addison Apartments Building as historic landmarks. This will provide greater protection for these two significant reminders of our past.

JUNE 1998

Trolley Approved!

Big news about the trolley. On June 15th City Council voted to spend $19.7 million on putting the trolley line through the Convention Center and into Uptown Charlotte. At long last, after 17 years of effort, the Commission's dream of putting vintage trolley service into operation in Charlotte will become a reality. Estimates are that service will actually begin in 2001.

Now that the City Council has voted to extend the trolley line into Uptown Charlotte, it is time to begin thinking about design issues, including the poles to carry the overhead wire. I vote for replicas of the original streetcar poles in Dilworth. Several are located along Dilworth Rd. East and Dilworth Road West, where the streetcar used to turn around and head back toward the Center City.

Notice the distinctive crown on the top. That's for the Queen City. Don't you think we should use that design? Send us your ideas.

See an outline of trolley-related material on the site...

Buses

Chris Allen waves from the driver's seat of Bus 1072. The Commission is working hard to get this part of our transportation history up and running.

Bus 1072 ran on the streets of Charlotte until 1991. We want to bring it back.

Updates

On June 15th City Council voted to designate the Thomas Alexander House on Sharon Lane a historic landmark. Again, the Commission has secured protection and recognition of part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg's rural past.

On June 16th the Board of County Commissioners authorized the Historic Landmarks Commission to purchase, restore and sell with protective covenants the Croft Schoolhouse. This will be a challenging but exciting project.

MAY 1998

Scenes from the Trolley Day celebration May 16

Updates

The Trolley Moves Forward. City Council took a straw vote on the trolley on May 18th. The project is still included in the proposed City budget for full funding. We aren't home yet, but the trolley picture looks better and better.

Also, on May 18th, the Planning Committee of the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Historic Landmarks Commission purchase the Croft Schoolhouse. We should be moving forward in the near future to seek approval from the Board of County Commissioners. This will be a difficult but exciting project.

Hopefully, the general contractor for the restoration of the James A. Blakeney House will be selected within the next two weeks. Work should be underway in June.

The same is true for the Patterson St. houses in North Charlotte. The general contractor should be ready to begin within the next two to three weeks.

Trolley News

Another important development for the trolley line. The City Council has voted to purchase the railroad corridor between Stonewall St. and Scaleybark -- a distance of 2.9 miles. This means that the trolleys will now be running on City property, not land leased from Norfolk Southern Railroad. Now the City owns a rail line that runs from 11th St. to Scaleybark, except for the gap between the Convention Center and over Stonewall St. When that gap is eliminanted, the trolleys will be ready to roll!!!

APRIL 1998

Croft Schoolhouse

The owners of the Croft Schoolhouse have accepted the Commission's offer to purchase the building and about .9 acres of land. The Commission will now seek the Board of County Commission's approval of the contract. Stay tuned. The Historic Landmarks Commission has begun emergency stabilization of the Croft Schoolhouse. Hopefully, the blue tarp will keep the rain out of the building until the HLC buys it.

Monthly Meeting Items

The Historic Landmarks Commission will be considering several important matters at its April 13th Meeting.

1. The Croft Schoolhouse: The Commission will be considering making an offer to purchase this unique historic building in the Croft Community just south of Huntersville. If acquired, the Schoolhouse will be restored and offered for sale with significance tax credits for the buyer. It will become an office building.

2. The Gluyas House: The Commission will consider purchasing the Gluyas House and 2.7 acres on Mt. Holly - Huntersville Road. The first step will be to conduct mechanical and structural inspections of the building and to secure an appraisal. The saving of the mid-19th century farmhouse is part of the Commission's commitment to saving remnants of our farming past.

3. The Commission will consider the prospective designation of the E. L. Baxter Davidson House on Providence Road as a historic landmark. Read the Survey and Research Report that the Commissioners will be examining as part of this process.

Trolley News

April will tell us a lot about how involved the City of Charlotte will be in bringing vintage trolley service to Uptown Charlotte. Pam Syfert, the City Manager, will be presenting her recommended capital improvement budget to City Council on April 21st. Watch out for these details. Will money for constructing the bridge across Stonewall St. and extending the trolley line through the Convention Center be included in the budget? If so, how much trolley money will be in the recommended budget? Where will Manager Syfert recommended that the money come from? City Council will hold public hearings on the budget in May, and the final budget will be approved in June. Stay tuned.

Updates

Other important news. The Historic Preservation Foundation has obtained approval for the State Investment Tax Credits for the Patterson St. Houses. This means that whoever purchases these houses will get big tax savings.

The Historic Landmarks Commission needs your input as to what rural properties in Mecklenburg County are the most important to save. Look at our Rural Resources Report and send your comments to us. We will use your input to help formulate a request to be put on the ballot next year for historic preservation bonds.

Students from Carmel Middle School related their studies in geometry to Charlotte's architecture using the Uptown Walking Tour made available by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Preservation Foundation.
 

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Preservation Foundation is assisting Carmel Middle School in their effort to customize the walking tours we have available to create something all Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools could use. The plan includes a walking tour of Fourth Ward, uptown, and a trolley ride. Be looking for news about this project as it develops.
 

Meeting Notes

The Historic Landmarks Commission made several important decisions at its meeting on April 13th.

The Commission will make an offer to purchase the Croft Schoolhouse. The plan is to renovate the structure and offer it as an office building. Because it is the National Register of Historic Places, lucrative tax credits will be available to the buyer.

The Commission will continue its efforts to buy the Gluyas House. Sturctural and mechanical inspections shall occur, and an appraisal will be conducted. Hopefully, the Commission will be able to buy, stabilize, and assure the preservation of this important part of our rural past.

The Commission voted to recommend the designation of the E. L. Baxter Davidson House as an historic landmark. The recommendation will be sent to the North Carolina Division of Archives and History for comment.

The Commission approved renovation plans for the First A.R.P. Church on North Tryon St. It will be exciting to see the renovation of this structure move forward.

SEPTEMBER 1998

Blakeney House Progress

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY THE JAMES A BLAKENEY HOUSE. If you make the Blakeney House your home you will save over $90,000 on your North Carolina Income Tax. If you buy the Blakeney House and rent it for five years you will save over $60,000 on your Federal Income Tax and $60,000 on your North Carolina Income Tax. You will have one of our finest historic homes in one of Charlotte's best residential districts. What more could you want? Get in touch with us today.

This is Jerry Beeler. He is in charge of putting a new foundation under the house. You can see the jacks behind him that are holding up the porch roof while repairs are under way.

Workmen working at the rear of the house make sure the Blakeney House will be level.

This picture shows the new foundation that will be going along the front of the Blakeney House. The Blakeney House is a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Endangered Properties

The Historic Landmarks Commission is involved in discussions to attempt to assure the preservation of two important historic landmarks in Uptown Charlotte -- Latta Arcade and the Ratcliffe Flower Shop. Representatives of the Commission have met with officials of Cornerstone Properties and the Crosland Group to see if preservation covenants can be established to guarantee that the Latta Arcade will not be torn down, that nothing will be built above it, and that the building will be properly maintained. Those discussions are on-going. The Harris Group and J. A. Jones Construction Company are vying to become the developers of a Convention Hotel. They plan to locate the building in the block where the Ratcliffe Flower Shop is located. The Historic Landmarks Commission will be reviewing plans that show how the Ratcliffe building will be incorporated into the hotel.

You will be hearing about the Commission's efforts to assist in developing a preservation strategy for the Thies House on Providence Road. Here is the situation. The Commission first considered recommending the Thies House for historic landmark designation in 1988. Because there was no immediate threat to the house, and because the owner did not favor designation, the Commission tabled the matter.

When reports began circulating that Childress Klein had signed a 50 year lease on the property and planned to demolish the Thies House, the Commission decided to revisit the issue. Specifically, at its August meeting, the Commission voted to direct staff to update the Survey and Research Report on the Thies House and present it to the Commisson at its September meeting. On September 14th, the Commission could vote to recommend or not to recommend historic landmark designation for the Thies House. It could also vote to impose a delay of demolition for up to 180 days or until City Council votes upon the Commission's recommendation, whichever occurs first. The sole purpose of the Commission's consideration of this issue is to allow time to investigate all reasonable alternatives to destroying the Thies House and its historic setting.

A Fascinating Visit

On September 10th Dan Morrill met Ralph Neely at the site of his great grandfather's plantation at the corner of Carowinds Boulevard and Highway 49. It was a fascinating visit. Neely gave Dr. Morrill a picture of his great grandfather, John Starr Neely (1817-1887), and his great grandmother, Jane Martha Price Neely (1828-1897).

John Neely served as a guard at the Confederate prison in Salisbury, was captured by Stoneman's raiders in April 1865, was taken to Camp Chase in Ohio, and walked home after the war. Ralph Neely also had a faded picture of the old plantation house, which was torn down many years ago by Carowinds developer Pat Hall.
 

Note the location of the row of slave houses that used to stand to the rear of the main house. Dr. Morrill also obtained a copy of John Neely's Bible, in which he recorded the birth dates of his slaves.
 

"Louisa was born August 23rd, 1855." "Francis was born January 20th 1856." The list ends in 1864, when John Neely left from Salisbury. Freedom for the slaves came the following year.

Ralph Neely took Dr. Morrill to the site of the Neely Plantation Slave Cemetery. It is nestled in a grove of trees in the midst of a plush office park. Dr. Morrill plans to visit the site in the next few days to take some photographs. Be sure a look for the pictures. They will be posted soon.

Meeting Action

The Historic Landmarks Commission took several important steps at its meeting on September 14th.

The Commission voted to seek Board of County Commission approval to purchase and upfit the Gluyas House on Mount Holly - Huntersville Road.

The Commission voted to recommend the Thies House for designation as a historic landmark but not to impose a delay on demolition at this time. Childress Klein, who has leased the property for 50 years, has agreed not to demolish the house until November 1st in hopes it can reach an agreement with nearby residents of the Myers Park neighborhood.

The Commission voted to seek a determination of State-wide significance for the Ratcliffe Flower Shop. Such determination would allow the Commission to deny the owner the right to demolish the building. Also, the Harris Group is working with the Commission to devise a design that would allow a new Convention Hotel to incorporate the Ratcliffe Flower Shop.

The Commission voted to remove the Wilson Building at S. Tryon and 3rd Streets from the Study List of prospective historic landmarks. The Commission will work with Cornerstone Properties to develop a series of agreements preventing the demolition of the Latta Arcade.

Updates

Affordable Tree Service has been removing the damaged trees at the Patterson Street Houses.

Paul Fomberg of the North Carolina Division of Archives and History tours the Croft Schoolhouse.

Allen Brooks, Project Architect, leans out an upstairs window of the Croft Schoolhouse. It is obvious that we have a lot of work to do.

AUGUST 1998

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission Marks Silver Anniversary

August 9 the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission held a reception to mark the 25th anniversary of its first meeting. Several hundred invited guests came to celebrate and hear comments from speakers including Consulting Director Dr. Dan L. Morrill, Chairman Lindsay Welch Daniel, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer David Brook, Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Wheeler, Mecklenburg County Commissioner Parks Helms, and U. S. Representative Melvin Watt.

Some photos of the event...

See the photo gallery with more pictures of the celebration...

1950's Survey

The Historic Landmarks Commission is seeking financial support to conduct an inventory of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg's architecture from 1945 until 1960. Part of the reason for this effort is the Commission's realization that much of the design of this era has fallen out of public favor. Also, it was a period of enormous change in Charlotte, such as the building of Independence Boulevard and the opening of Interstate 85. Please send us your thoughts and comments on this effort.

Property Updates

Actual work begins on the James A. Blakeney House on Monday, August 17th. At long last, the renovation of this important remnant of South Mecklenburg's rural past will get underway. Watch the news section closely. We will have many photographs of the workers bringing the Blakeney House back to life. Also, County Public Service and Information will be featuring the house on its monthly news programs. Watch Cable Channel 16.

The first worker arrived at the Blakeney House on August 19th. He's Rick Lapinsky. He toured the site to plan the arrival of work crews the next week.

Allen Brooks, Project Architect, and Ellyn Baeszler, Project Administrative Assistant, visited the Croft Schoolhouse on August 14th. They are identifying the historic artifacts in the building. They include an old buggy. Over the next several weeks we will be determining what needs to be done to stabilize the building. It has been sadly neglected over the years.

The Commission is still negotiating with the owners of the Gluyas House on Mt. Holly - Huntersville Road. We hope to purchase this property as part of our on-going rural historic preservation program in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Fountain Returns

Last summer we reported that the Commission would help preserve the horse fountain that was moved to Elmwood Cemetery from its original home at South Boulevard and Morehead St. Well, it's going back to Morehead St., in front of the American City Building. It was originally installed by the National Humane Alliance so all the horses around town could get a drink of water.

JULY 1998

Storm Damage

Severe storms passed through Mecklenburg County in early July. The house at 517 Patterson Street, being restored by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Preservation Foundation, suffered damage as a large tree fell on the property, damaging the structure.

Contracts Awarded

On July 13th, the Historic Landmarks Commission awarded the construction contract for the restoration of the James Blakeney House to Mann Contractors. Actual work should begin by the first week in August. Mann Contractors, headed by Joe Mann, did the work on the Funderburk Grist Mill and Blacksmith Shop in Matthews and knows how to do things right. The upfit of the exterior of the house should be finished by the end of November. Anybody wanting to buy this magnificent Queen Anne style home should contact the Historic Landmarks Commission.

The Historic Landmarks Commission voted on July 13th to award the design contract for the restoration of the Croft Schoolhouse to AB Architecture. The Commission will buy the Croft Schoolhouse this month, and emergency stabalization should begin soon thereafter. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, meaning that large income tax reductions will be available to the buyer.

Endangered Uptown Buildings Identified

The Historic Landmarks Commission has identified the most endangered historic landmarks in Uptown Charlotte. They include the Ratcliffe Flower Shop, the Latta Arcade, the Wilson Building, the Frederick Apartments, the Carolina Theater, the William Treloar House, and the Mecklenburg Investment Company Building. Two of the properties are being processed for historic landmark designation -- the Wilson Building and the Frederick Apartments. The rest already are historic landmarks.

Work in Progress:

Work continues on the adaptive re-use of the old 1st ARP Church in uptown Charlotte. Structural steel is now in place and work is expected to be complete in 1999.

Rededication at Independence Park

A most impressive ceremony was held on July 4th to rededicate Independence Park and the Lillian Arhelger Memorial. Frank Thies, Sr., Lillian Arhelger's brother-in-law, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremonies for the Memorial. The Fountain will be operating soon. Go for a visit.

Scenes from the rededication...

LEFT: The Arhelger Memorial RIGHT: The reflecting pool

LEFT: Frank Thies, Sr., Lillian's brother-in-law,cutting the ribbon at the redeciation July 4th RIGHT: The Thies family

DECEMBER 1998

Updates

On November 15th several Commissioners visited the Davidson Schoolhouse at Rural Hill to clean up the building. We are still working to make this a site where students can learn about the rural heritage of Mecklenburg County.

Commissioners busily at work at the Davidson Schoolhouse.

Commissioner Lisa Hankin is interrupted while working on the windows.

On December 5th the Historic Landmarks Commission toured the historic sites in Uptown Charlotte.

Dan Morrill explains how Fourth Ward was revived in the 1970's as an Uptown Historic District.

Commission Chairman Lindsay Daniel explains the history of St. Peter's Catholic Church.

Commissioners standing in the vaulted lobby of the Johnston Building.

Two photos illustrating the ongoing restoration of the exterior of the Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House, home of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Preservation Foundation and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission.

NOVEMBER 1998

Gluyas House Project Approved

Good news. The County Commission voted on November 3rd to authorize the Historic Landmarks Commission to buy and sell the Thomas Gluyas House on Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. Again, the Commission's revolving fund proves vital in saving our historic sites and buildings.

Blakeney House Project Update

See some of the many new photos making their way onto the web site that show the Blakeney House as it is being restored. Check back every so often to see how the house is progressing. And, don't forget: it's a history lover's bargain (thanks to several tax incentives) and it's for sale!!

Croft Schoolhouse Project Planned

The Historic Landmarks Commission at its November 9th meeting approved the plan for the renovation of the Croft Schoolhouse. Allen Brooks, Project Architect, is preparing structural drawings. Hopefully, renovation will begin in February.

Seeking Bonds for Preservation

Dan Morrill made a presentation to the Citizens Capital Budget Advisory Committee on November 9th. He explained how the Historic Landmarks Commission would use additional money in its revolving fund to save historic rural sites in Mecklenburg County, like the James A. Blakeney House. The Commission is seeking approval for $7.5 million to be placed on the 1999 bond referendum. If approved by the voters, the money would be used to save our vanishing rural landscapes and sites. Stay tuned about more information on this exciting prospect.

Park Elevator Building Demolished

The Park Manufacturing Company Building is coming down. Many people believe that the Historic Landmarks Commission could have saved the building because it was a historic landmark. Unless the Commission has the money to buy endangered historic landmarks, the fate of our historic built environment rests with the owners. That's why we are seeking more money for the Commission's revolving fund.

OCTOBER 1998

Thies House Proposal

The Historic Landmarks Commission will be recommending that the Thies House and the 2.7 acres of land surrounding it be designated as a historic landmark. City Council will decide this issue on October 26th. The purpose of designation is not to prevent development. The purpose is to manage development so that the historic character of the Thies House can be preserved. Lindsay Daniel, Chairman of the Commission, has developed a plan which would allow Childress Klein, the developer, to place an Eckerds Drugstore on the site. This plan in no way represents an official plan approved by the Historic Landmarks Commission nor suggests that the Landmarks Commission would approve it. Take a look.

Updates

The Historic Preservation Foundation renovating the Ratcliffe-Otterbourg House. All of the pebbledash on the exterior of the house has been removed. Deteriorated wood will be replaced, and the entire house will be painted. Drive by and take a look.

City Council voted on October 26th to postpone the hearing on the designation of the Thies House as an historic landmark. Largely because of the Historic Landmarks Commission's initiative, the immediate neighbors, the developer, and the owner have devised a compromise that will save the house and protect the historic edge of Myers Park. Time is needed to work out the details.

The Board of County Commission will be asked to vote on November 4th to authorize the Historic Landmarks Commission to purchase the Gluyas House.