4 Historic Spots To Check Out In Charlotte, NC

Dec 3, 2015

4 Historic Spots To Check Out In Charlotte, NC Charlotte, NC is a bustling city of over 792,000 people. Whether you’re here to visit or you live and work in the city, there are likely several landmarks you haven’t made your way to yet. Because the city has been around since 1755, there are historical sites all over. You’ll find war zones, historic houses, and more. The next time you’re in Charlotte and looking for something interesting to do, check out one of these top historic sites in the area.

Big Rock Nature Preserve

Not only do you get a great dose of history at Big Rock Nature Preserve, you also get to explore the outdoors. With 23 acres to explore, you’ll find a variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, and more. The preserve was designated as a historic landmark in 2009, due to the Native American habitation on the land. One interesting point about this preserve is that it is the only natural feature in the country to receive the designation as a historic landmark. Please keep in mind that the preserve does not have any amenities such as bathrooms or picnic areas.

McIntyre Historic Site

If you’re a Revolutionary War buff, you’ll want to check out the McIntyre Historic Site. In 1780 there was a skirmish here, now known as either “The Battle of the Hornets Nest” or “The Battle of the Bees.” In addition to this being a war site, the area was once mined for gold. The site includes a 1/3 mile hiking trail, a historical site monument, and information about the gold mine and war.

This site is close to the hearts of those who live in the area because North Carolinians have taken on the symbolism of the Hornets that came from the skirmish.

Dowd House

One of many historic homes in North Carolina, the Dowd House was built in 1879 and is in the center of what was once a 250-acre farm. The home was the childhood residence of both Willis Frank Dowd and William Carey Dowd. Willis was the founder of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry and William was the publisher of The Charlotte News. In addition to housing famous Carolinians, the home was the headquarters of the U.S. Army while Camp Greene was being built.

Old Settler’s Cemetery

Old Settler’s Cemetery was the first cemetery in the city. The gravesites here date from 1776-1884 and include the graves of many early settlers to North Carolina. In addition to settlers, there are several prominent people buried here, including Thomas Polk, Nathaniel Alexander, and Greene Washington Caldwell. While the cemetery stopped being the primary burial place for Charlotte citizens in 1853, the most recent grave is dated 1878.

With so many historically significant sites to see in Charlotte and in the surrounding area, it’s not surprising that people travel here from all across the world. Whether you’re interested in Revolutionary war history, the history of the Native Americans from the area, or have an interest in the gold rush in North Carolina, you’re sure to find several historical sites to visit.

Image from Pixabay licensed under CC BY 2.0