Charlotte's Hidden History

Revealing little-known historical facts about the Queen City

Annie Alexander

Camp Greene

Charlotte O’s

Charlotte’s M.A.S.H.

Douglas Airport

Hezekiah Alexander Homesite

James Brown

Labor Riots

Lance

Rea Road

Reed Gold Mine

Shotgun Houses

Sit-ins

South Park

Trade & Tryon

Traffic Barrel

Wing Haven

Wikipedia shares the basics: Charlotte gets her name from Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III; and our “hornet’s nest” nickname comes from General Cornwallis during the Revolutionary War—after he was driven out by a swarm of rebellious residents. But dig a little deeper and Charlotte contains a surprising hidden history—found under our feet in places we visit daily, and preserved in the memories of residents.

Read personal stories from longtime Charlotte residents about the desegregation of restaurants, a German POW camp in Myers Park, and more.

Click on the illustrations below to learn about Charlotte's past.