Dilworth (Charlotte neighborhood) facts for kids
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Dilworth Historic District
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Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Dilworth
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Myrtle, Morehead, Berkeley, Dilworth Rd. W, Charlotte, Park, Tremont, Cleveland and Renssalaer, Charlotte, North Carolina |
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| Area | 399.1 acres (161.5 ha) |
| Architect | Olmsted Bros. et al. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Bungalow/Craftsman, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000610 (original) 00001495 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 09, 1987 |
| Boundary increase | December 7, 2000 |
Dilworth is a cool neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was Charlotte's very first "streetcar suburb." This means it was built around the time electric streetcars became popular. Edward Dilworth Latta started this neighborhood in the 1890s. It was on 250 acres of land, just southwest of Charlotte's main city area.
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Discovering Dilworth: Charlotte's First Streetcar Suburb
How Dilworth Began
Dilworth was created because of the new streetcars in Charlotte. Before streetcars, people walked or used horse-drawn vehicles. This meant that homes and businesses stayed close to the city center. Charlotte's main area was around Trade and Tryon Streets.
The first streetcars were pulled by horses or mules. Then, electric streetcars arrived. Edward Dilworth Latta's Charlotte Street Railway Company started running on May 18, 1891. Dilworth opened just two days later! This new way to travel made it easy for people to live further from the city.
The Power of Streetcars
Streetcars, also called trolleys, were a very popular way to get around. They made land near the trolley lines very desirable. The Charlotte Electric Railway trolley even advertised Dilworth. It proudly showed the message: "Buy a home in Dilworth for rent money." This encouraged people to move there.
Trolleys were super important for Charlotte's growth. The last trolley, Car No. 85, stopped running in March 1938. This special car was later found and carefully restored. Since 1996, Car No. 85 has been back in action. It now carries passengers from the Southend neighborhood to Charlotte's city center.
Exploring Dilworth Today
Dilworth is known for its beautiful streets. You'll see tall, old oak trees and sidewalks everywhere. Many houses have welcoming front porches. Most homes are bungalows, which are cozy, single-story houses. You might also spot some larger, two-story Colonial Revival homes.
East Boulevard is the main road through Dilworth. It's full of restaurants, offices, and shops. Many of these businesses are in old homes that have been updated. Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte's largest hospital, is also in Dilworth. It's a big teaching hospital with 861 beds. It's the only Level 1 trauma center in the region.
Sedgefield Park connects Dilworth to the nearby Sedgefield neighborhood. It's a nice place for people to walk and enjoy the outdoors.
Dilworth's Historic Status
A large part of the Dilworth neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special place with historical importance. It's called the Dilworth Historic District. The district includes 1,389 buildings and one structure that help tell its story. It was first listed in 1987, and its boundaries were expanded in 2000.
