Timeline of Charlotte, North Carolina facts for kids

Charlotte is a big city in North Carolina, United States. This timeline shows some of the most important events in its history, from when it was first established to more recent times. It's like a journey through Charlotte's past, showing how it grew and changed over the years.

Early History (Before 1800s)

• 1763 – Mecklenburg County was created. This is the area where Charlotte is located.
• 1768 – Charlotte Town officially became a town.
• 1770 – Queen's Museum was started.
• 1774 – Charlotte became the main town of Mecklenburg County.
• 1775 – The Mecklenburg Resolves were signed. These were important statements about independence before the American Revolution.
• 1777 – Liberty Hall Academy was started.
• 1780 – The Battle of Charlotte was fought during the American Revolutionary War.

The 1800s: Growth and New Beginnings

• 1835 – The Charlotte Journal newspaper began publishing.
• 1837 – The Charlotte Mint opened. This was a place where gold coins were made.
• 1850 – William F. Davidson became the mayor of Charlotte.
• 1852
  • A railway started operating, making travel and trade easier.
  • The Western Democrat newspaper began publishing.
• 1857
  • The Charlotte Female Institute was established, which was a school for girls.
  • The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) became active in the city.
  • Gas lighting started to be used in Charlotte.
• 1858 – Charlotte Military Academy was established.
• 1867 – Biddle Memorial Institute was founded, which later became a university.
• 1875 – Charlotte's public schools were established, providing education for many children.
• 1880 – The population of Charlotte was 7,084 people.
• 1886 – The Charlotte Chronicle newspaper began publishing.
• 1887
  • Electric lighting started to be used, making the city brighter at night.
  • The Charlotte Fire Department was founded to protect the city from fires.
• 1888 – The Charlotte News newspaper began publishing.
• 1890 – The Charlotte Post newspaper began publishing.
• 1891
  • A new city hall was built.
  • The Charlotte Literary and Library Association was organized.
  • Latta Park was established, giving people a place to relax outdoors.
• 1897 – Elizabeth College was established.

The 1900s: Modernization and Expansion

• 1903 – The Charlotte Carnegie Public Library opened, offering books and resources to the public.
• 1905
  • The Brevard Street Library for Negroes opened.
  • The Southern Power Company was started, providing electricity.
• 1908 – Union National Bank was founded.
• 1915 – Temple Israel was built.
• 1921 – WBT radio began broadcasting, bringing news and entertainment to homes.
• 1924
  • The Hotel Charlotte opened.
  • Radiator Specialty Company was founded.
• 1930
  • The population grew to 82,675 people.
  • Work began to create Bryant Park.
• 1932 – The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra was formed, bringing music to the city.
• 1933 – WSOC radio began broadcasting.
• 1935 – Charlotte Municipal Airport was established, connecting Charlotte to other cities by air.
• 1936 – The Mint Museum opened, showcasing art and history.
• 1940 – The population reached 100,899 people.
• 1946 – The Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina opened, offering higher education.
• 1947 – The Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte was founded.
• 1949 – WBTV (television) began broadcasting, bringing TV to Charlotte.
• 1950 – The population grew to 134,042 people.
• 1955 – Ovens Auditorium opened, a venue for performances and events.
• 1957
  • WSOC-TV (television) began broadcasting.
  • American Commercial Bank was formed.
• 1960 – The population reached 201,564 people.
• 1961 – Stan Brookshire became mayor.
• 1966 – Charlotte Botanical Gardens were established.
• 1967 – WCNC-TV began broadcasting.
• 1968 – Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories Arboretum was established.
• 1970
  • SouthPark Mall opened, a large shopping center.
  • The population reached 241,178 people.
• 1971 – The U.S. Supreme Court made a decision in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education that supported busing students to achieve school integration.
• 1973 – The Carowinds Monorail began operating at the amusement park.
• 1974 – An airplane accident occurred.
• 1976 – The Afro-American Cultural Center was established.
• 1980 – The population reached 314,447 people.
• 1982 – Heroes Convention (for comic books) began.
• 1983 – Harvey Gantt became mayor.
• 1985 – Metrolina Theatre Association was established.
• 1986
  • Opera Carolina was formed.
  • An airplane accident occurred.
• 1987 – WJZY began broadcasting.
• 1988
  • The Charlotte Hornets basketball team began to play.
  • The Charlotte Knights baseball team franchise was established.
• 1989 – Hurricane Hugo caused significant damage to the city.
• 1990 – The population reached 395,934 people.
• 1991
  • Blockbuster Pavilion opened, a place for concerts.
  • The Museum of the New South was started.
• 1992
  • North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center opened.
  • Carolina Actors Studio Theatre and Carolinas Aviation Museum were founded.
• 1993
  • The city government's computer network began operating.
  • Mel Watt became a U.S. representative for North Carolina's 12th congressional district.
• 1994
  • WMYT-TV began broadcasting.
  • An airplane accident occurred.
  • Charlotte's Web Community Network went online.
• 1995
  • Pat McCrory became mayor.
  • The Charlotte Convention Center and Tremont Music Hall opened.
  • The city's website went online.
  • The Carolina Panthers began to play as the first NFL team in the Carolinas.
• 1998 – Bank of America was formed.
• 1999 – A federal court ended certain school integration policies that involved busing.

The 2000s and Beyond: A Growing City

Early 2000s

• 2000 – The population reached 540,828 people.
• 2002 – ConCarolinas (a science fiction and fantasy convention) began.
• 2003 – An airplane accident occurred.
• 2004
  • Slow Food Charlotte was founded.
  • Street Soccer USA set up its headquarters in the city.
• 2005 – Charlotte Bobcats Arena (now Spectrum Center) and ImaginOn (a library and theater for kids) opened.
• 2007
  • The Lynx Blue Line light rail began operating, making public transportation easier.
  • The Billy Graham Library opened.
• 2009 – Anthony Foxx became mayor.

2010s

• 2010
  • The NASCAR Hall of Fame and Bechtler Museum of Modern Art opened.
  • The population reached 731,424 people.
• 2011 – Occupy Charlotte protests began.
• 2012
  • Little Sugar Creek Greenway was built, providing trails for walking and biking.
  • The Democratic National Convention was held in Charlotte, bringing many visitors to the city.
• 2013
  • Robert Pittenger became U.S. representative for North Carolina's 9th congressional district.
  • The population was estimated to be 792,862 people.
• 2014 – Alma Adams became U.S. representative for North Carolina's 12th congressional district.
• 2015 – The population was estimated to be 827,121 people.
• 2016 – September: Protests and unrest occurred in the city.