Things newcomers might not know about Charlotte

[anifani821]

Haven't read this whole thread in a while . . . have any of us noted that the name "Nations Ford" for one of our streets originated b/c this was the place where the Native Americans forded the Catawba river and was part of a major trading SE trading route.

More info:

Nation Ford was one of a series of natural fords on the Catawba River which provided safe crossing
points for Native Americans. The presence of the ford led to development of trading paths which
converged at this crossing point. The major trading path to the northern tribes led to Virginia and
beyond. This path was being used by white traders by 1650.1 It was known by several names,
including the “Occaneechi Path,” the “Catawba Path,” and on Mouzon’s map of 1775 as the “Indian
Road.”2 One of the oldest documented travel routes in the southeast, it began at the James River
at the site of present Petersburg Virginia, crossed the Piedmont of North Carolina, passed into
South Carolina, and forked just south of the crossing of the Catawba River at Nation Ford. In the
section of the route near its southern terminus at Nation Ford, it came eventually to be known as
Nation Ford Road. South of the ford, it split, with one fork leading west to the Cherokee lands, and
the other leading south to the Native American tribes around present-day Augusta.3 The trail
provided the Catawba Indians and other southern tribes with an access route for trade and
communication with northern tribes.

The date of the first contact between the Catawbas and Europeans is unknown. The route of
Hernando de Soto’s travels through South Carolina in 1540 is a subject of debate, but he may have
passed through Catawba territory. Juan Pardo’s expedition of 1567 likely passed through the
Catawba valley, and his “Ysa” tribe is likely a reference to the Catawbas.

http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/MPS/MPS047.pdf

[taz31553]

Hey, Ron, I'm a West Meck grad. '71!! Do I know you? Would love to know!

[nascarnancy]

Originally Posted by InSouthPark

Charlotte is the only large city I have been to that was NOT planned around a grid system of roads. :-( We have no roads outside of uptown that actually run in a grid pattern. GPS or a city map is required for all new residents for at least 6 months.

Yes, could not have said it better, a GPS is a must. If I had to do it all over I would have bought a GPS the minute I arrived. It would have saved me from being in tears the 2nd day I was here. I had no idea that the roads changed names, and not just once I might add.

So Cal, Orange and LA counties, grid system. That is one thing DH will admit he misses about So Cal.

[nascarnancy]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

Filming location for 1994 movie, "Nell"
Filming location for 2001's "Shallow Hal"

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My niece had 2 parts in Shallow Hal, hoochie mama in a bar scene and a scene in the gym, although the gym scene was cut in the movie, a few months back they were showing it on tv with all the deleted scene's. I just happened to turn the channel and there she was!

[ilovethemountains2]

Back in the day (late 70s, early 80s) Eastland Mall was the best mall in Charlotte.

Southpark Mall actually had stores where you could afford to buy clothes.

Southpark Mall also had a television viewing area. Does anyone else remember this?

[ilovethemountains2]

I remember growing up in Olde Providence on Brynwood Drive and all that was behind the houses was Mr. Rea's Farm (Rea Road was named after him). I remember trying to keep the cows and bulls out of our yards when they would escape Mr. Rea's fence lol. It was all wooded.

Now Colony Road runs behind Brynwood Drive. No more woods. I remember thinking it was only a dream to have Colony Road cut through my neighborhood.