Charlotte Facts The Average Local Couldn’t Even Tell You
Charlotte has culture, food, entertainment, adventure, and some of the friendliest people in the country. There are so many cool things about Charlotte, some of which the city’s residents don’t even know about.
We’re letting you in on some little-known facts about the great city of Charlotte. Check them out!
1. “Uptown” Really Is Up
Charlotte residents have referred to the downtown area as “Uptown” for years before it was officially designated, the historic sector of “Uptown Charlotte” in 1974. Not many locals know that “uptown” actually does sit at a higher elevation than the rest of the city.
2. The Charlotte Metropolitan Area is the largest in the U.S. without a Zoo
However, the North Carolina Zoo isn’t too far away (a little over an hour's drive depending on where you are) and is home to one of America’s largest chimpanzee troops! If you’re up for a road trip, it’s definitely a place worth spending a day at.
3. Independence Square is a Major Historical Site
In the 1700’s, two major pathways came together in Charlotte. One was the Great Wagon Road, built by European settlers stretching from Philadelphia to Georgia and the other was a large Native American trail. Today, these roads are Trade and Tryon and they intersect at Independence Square.
4. A King’s Tribute to His Queen
As most Charlotte locals know, King George III named “Charlotte Town” after his wife, Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Not many know the county of Mecklenburg is named after the region of Germany she was born in.
5. Nicknamed “The Hornet’s Nest”
Charlotte residents love their Hornets, but how many of them can say they know why the Hornet is so prevalent in our city? Not many.
It’s actually a historical reference. In 1780, General Cornwallis led his troops into Charlotte, but due to the strong fight the locals put up, they didn’t stay long. Thus, Cornwallis dubbed Charlotte a “Hornet’s Nest of Rebellion.”
6. A NASCAR Hub
NASCAR events are what Charlotte residents live for. The Charlotte Motor Speedway holds three of NASCAR’s biggest annual events: The Coca-Cola 600, the Bank of America 500, and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
Not many realize that 75% of all NASCAR teams in the world are headquartered within two hours of Charlotte!
7. The Beginning of America’s Gold Rush
In 1799, Conrad Reed found a 17-pound gold nugget on his family’s property. This would become the first documented gold finding in the U.S., triggering the nation’s gold rush.
8. Boasts The World’s Largest Man-Made Whitewater River
The U.S National Whitewater Center is located on the outskirts of Charlotte and is home to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. The river’s powerful pumps can unleash enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in eight seconds! The center is a great place to play, relax, and learn. Check it out.
9. Home To the Top-Ranked Children’s Museum in America
ImaginOn is a one-of-a-kind youth destination in Charlotte, visited by more than 300,000 people annually. The museum is gaining national attention and ranks as one of the country’s top children’s museums!
10. The First Family Dollar Location Ever
Now, Family Dollar has thousands of locations (8,185 to be exact) in 48 states and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dollar Tree. But, in 1989, their original store opened in Charlotte, NC.
Charlotte is a pretty interesting place, wouldn’t you agree? There’s no doubt about it, we love our city and all of its unknowns!
Make Queen City Your Home With the Help of a Redbud Group REALTORS®
Now that you know a few things about Charlotte (that really, not many of its residents even know), are you ready to move? It’s actually a great time to buy real estate in Charlotte. If you’re interested in exploring the Charlotte housing market, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Redbud Group REALTORS® have all of the necessary tools and knowledge to guarantee you success through your home-buying journey. We want you to feel comfortable throughout the entire process by feeling our level of dedication to finding you your dream home. Use the button below or visit our website to schedule a complimentary consultation!
