January 29, 2003

HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION IDENTIFIES
HUNDREDS MORE HISTORIC PROPERTIES

Charlotte, N.C. - Just in time for Black History Month, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission has completed a survey of African American historic places. 

The Commission conducted the survey in partnership with the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, identifying historic homes, farms, commercial buildings, schools, and neighborhoods. Many African American landmarks in Charlotte had previously been identified, but the Commission felt it was important to perform a more comprehensive countywide survey with special attention paid to unincorporated areas of the county and the county's small towns. 

As a result of the survey, the Commission identified 200 additional historic African American properties. Of these, 19 individual properties and two neighborhoods, Grier Heights in Charlotte and the Westside Neighborhood in Davidson, were added to North Carolina's Study List for the National Register of Historic Places. The Landmarks Commission is now considering which of the properties may also be eligible for Local Historic Landmark status.

The Commission hopes release of the survey will spark discussion about Mecklenburg's African American History and lead to the identification of more historic properties. 

The Landmarks Commission has posted the survey, along with pictures of many of the properties, at its Web site www.landmarkscommission.org. From the homepage, click on Browse By Topic, and then African American History.