To truly know our city, it is vital to know our rich history. Charlotte was founded in the year 1750 when North Carolina was a colony, and King George III sat on the throne of England. The city was named after his queen, Princess Charlotte. The city soon became a center for anti-British sentiments, and even hosted the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence in May of 1775… 13 months before the other Declaration was signed. While that document’s authenticity has been questioned, even by Thomas Jefferson, himself, the independent nature of the people in our area has never been in doubt. At the start of the American Revolution, Lord Cornwallis occupied the city, and faced hostile treatment that was so severe he called the city “The Hornet’s Nest of Rebellion.” The city took the nickname as a badge of honor, and the hornet became the city’s official emblem. It is now also the name of our NBA team, owned by North Carolina native Michael Jordan.
Charlotte was also the center of gold production in the United States, and a US Mint was located in the city. The precious metal was discovered in 1799 when a twelve-year-old boy by the name of Conrad Reed was fishing on his family’s farm in Cabarrus County. He stumbled upon a large, shiny rock, which ended up being a seventeen-pound gold nugget. More gold was discovered along the creek, as well as the surrounding areas, and Charlotte remained the epicenter of US gold production until the California Gold Rush in 1849. Gold is still being found and mined in the area, and Ardor recently listed a gold mine for sale – in the same county where Conrad Reed discovered gold over 222 years ago.
After the Civil War, Charlotte became a large manufacturing area and distribution point in the Southeast. It is also home to the first college in North Carolina, Queens College. Two US presidents were born nearby as well. Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk both received their early education in Charlotte.
Our US Mint building is now the Mint Museum of Art and features a wealth of American, European, and African Artifacts. As our city has grown, we have welcomed a tremendous number of cultural and entertainment opportunities. And, if you’re a sports fan, don’t forget the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, the AAA Baseball BB&T Knights, and of course, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 2022, we will also welcome Charlotte F.C. – our new Major League Soccer team!
While our history is tremendous, our future is even more exciting. Our community is welcoming and is passionate about our city. Over 100 people per day are moving here, and it is easy to see why. Thanks to the large corporations that call Charlotte home, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, our city has continuously boasted a median income level that is above the national average, while our reasonable residential and commercial real estate costs remain well below the national median. With four seasons and our moderate year-round weather, Charlotte is a beautiful place to call home. Plus, our proximity to the mountains and the beach, as well as our lakes and rivers, make our city an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
If you’re new to the Charlotte area, Welcome! We promise that you are going to love it here.
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