City: Charlotte, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (704) 331-2700

Description: In the mid-1800s Charlotte was divided into four political wards. The northwest quadrant, called Fourth Ward, was a prosperous area containing the homes of merchants, ministers, physicians, and others. In the early 1900s the trolley expanded travel throughout Charlotte, and Dilworth and Myers Park became the prestigious places to live. By the ’50s, Fourth Ward was becoming an undesirable area with abandoned or substandard housing, scattered businesses, and crime.But in 1970, when many homes had been destroyed by fire, vandals, and neglect, the Junior League, UNC Charlotte, and a few other civic-minded people had a dream. It was of interest to the city, banks, and, most important, the residents to save Fourth Ward and make it a desirable area once again. By 1978 most of the homes had been bought by adventurous, modern-day pioneers. The restoration was strictly governed by the homeowners association, and this is now a beautiful, active community that has increased the tax revenue to the city tenfold. This turn-of-the-20th-century Victorian neighborhood, in the heart of Uptown, is a nice spot for strolling during the day or for taking the tour of homes at Christmastime. Pick up a detailed guide from Visit Charlotte at Main Street, 330 South Tryon St.