Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

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The Historic Landmarks Commission is an agency of Mecklenburg County Government.

11/05/2026

Mecklenburg County’s designated historic landmarks can tell you a lot about the history of education in the area.

Join Historic Preservation Specialist Tommy Warlick on November 17 at the next offering in Wing Haven's Queen City History Lectures series as he takes attendees on a history tour — from private tutors in the 1820s to the present — by exploring properties such as Historic Rosedale and Davidson College, Depression-era agricultural school buildings, UNC Charlotte and the home of founder Bonnie Cone, and much more.

This evening lecture series is part of Wing Haven's Centennial Celebration and is offered in conjunction with the Historic Landmarks Department.

For more event information: https://meck.co/3Uv30tq

📷: Biddle Memorial Hall

11/03/2026

Charlotte City Hall was built in the early 20th century after local leaders realized a larger city hall was needed to accommodate Charlotte's rapid and continued growth.

Architect Charles C. Hook was hired to design this new, larger city hall that opened in 1925 at 600 E. Trade Street. The prominent building is an example of Beaux-Arts Classicism, which emphasizes symmetry and which was a popular choice for government buildings at the time.

Although many municipal offices have since moved to the nearby Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, the old Charlotte City Hall still houses several departments, including City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services.

Charlotte City Hall was designated as a local historic landmark in 1980. For more on this property: https://meck.co/4y85zkn

10/30/2026

The next time you find yourself in Uptown Charlotte, don't overlook Latta Arcade, one of the few early-20th century commercial buildings still standing in Uptown. Now known as The Alley, this indoor shopping experience has a two-floor atrium, a glass skylight, and ghosts!

Built in 1914 and designed by renowned Charlotte architect William Peeps, Latta Arcade was developed by Edward Dilworth Latta, a prominent early-20th century Charlotte real estate developer. This arcade is among the most significant office buildings erected in Charlotte during this time. While the main façade has been altered, the interior remains largely as it was, with parallel rows of shop fronts and office suites under the skylit roof.

But what about the ghosts? A men's room barber shop that was part of Latta Arcade for over 100 years had a sign that was used to let people know if bootleg alcohol was for sale. The sign was reportedly the only thing hanging on the wall that would occasionally fall, while other times the sign went missing for days only to reappear on the ground. Tenants throughout the past few decades have also reported hearing footsteps pacing on the second floor. The building's porter who has worked in or around Latta Arcade for approximately 30 years has named this entity "Frank."

If you want to check out the paranormal activity of this historic building, Latta Arcade is conveniently located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte at 320 S. Tryon Street, near many places you might already go, like Truist Field, Bank of America Stadium, and Romare Bearden Park. For more on the building's history: https://meck.co/3QCst2p

📷: Latta Arcade as seen from the adjacent open-air Brevard Court, another wonderful historic property.

10/27/2026

The landmark designations of the Liddell-McNinch House and William and Nell Freeman House were recently amended to better reflect the current status of the properties.

The Liddell-McNinch House, located at 511 N. Church Street in Charlotte, was designated as a local historic landmark in 1976. Since the original designation ordinance didn't explicitly include the interior of the house or the parcel where the house is located, the designation was amended to include both of these features. For more on this property: https://meck.co/4ysdIiz

The ca. 1927 William and Nell Freeman House, originally located at 201 S. Ames Street in Matthews, was designated as a local historic landmark in 2019 and included the house, barn, and associated tax parcel. When the house later faced the threat of demolition, the Historic Landmarks Commission approved the relocation of the house and barn to 145 S. Ames Street, Matthews, which was part of the original one-acre Freeman House site. The designation was amended to add the current location of the house and barn and remove the previous location. For more on this property: https://meck.co/3QSmztR

Thank you to Charlotte City Council and the Matthews Board of Commissioners for ensuring these properties will continue to be protected with accurate historic landmark designations!

10/22/2026

Three properties were recently designated as local historic landmarks!

- McClintock Presbyterian Church became Mecklenburg County’s first Presbyterian congregation – and North Carolina’s second Presbyterian church – founded by formerly enslaved persons. This church was also one of the two original members of the Catawba Presbytery, created in October 1866 as the first all-Black presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. that ultimately grew into the largest all-Black presbytery in the world. McClintock Presbyterian Church is located at 14008 Erwin Road, Charlotte. For more on this property: https://meck.co/4s8yMJ9

- Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church Cemeteries #1 and #2 are associated with Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church, founded in 1755 and now the oldest extant church congregation in Mecklenburg County. The church is also one of North Carolina’s oldest Presbyterian churches. The cemeteries have served for centuries as the final resting places for many of the County’s earliest and most notable settlers. Cemetery #1 is located at 335 W. Craighead Road, Charlotte, and Cemetery #2 is located at 4130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte. For more on these cemeteries: https://meck.co/4jommdU

- Jefferson-First Union Tower was the tallest building in North Carolina, standing 433 feet tall, at its completion in 1971. The tower is 32-stories while its adjoining hyphen building is 12-stories. The structure is significant as uptown Charlotte’s first skyscraper built in the Late Modern architectural style. For more on this property: https://meck.co/4yr78bU

Thank you to everyone who supported the designation of these properties!

10/20/2026

On October 20, 2008, the McCausland Building/Thacker's Restaurant was designated as a local historic landmark.

This building was erected in 1899 for stove merchants and tinsmiths James Noble and Andrew Earle McCausland and later remodeled in 1936 as Thacker’s Restaurant. It originally sported a flamboyant brick-and-stone façade until it was remodeled and the building’s new exterior created the cleaner, classical design that is largely intact today, minus the large vertical neon sign that for many years announced, “Thacker’s, A Good Place to Eat.”

Now surrounded by office towers that gradually replaced the small storefronts of South Tryon’s 200 block, the three-story McCausland Building remains a rare example of a small-scale, late-19th century commercial building in Charlotte’s center city.

The McCausland Building/Thacker's Restaurant is located at 221 South Tryon Street, Charlotte. For more on its history: https://meck.co/4eSuwHD

10/15/2026

Our friends at the Matthews Heritage Museum are heading back to Historic Matthews Cemetery to continue the progress from previous cleanings!

Join the Museum and partners on October 24 from 9 a.m. to noon as they attempt to finish cleaning the headstones at Historic Matthews Cemetery, the final resting place of many associated with the founding of the Town of Matthews, NC - Government. A guided cemetery tour will follow the headstone cleaning.

For more event information, including how to register: https://meck.co/4jeXXHJ

10/13/2026

An update on Latta Place. For more on the history of the site: https://meck.co/4ePoeIM

10/08/2026

The Charlotte Museum of History is home to two historic landmarks - the Hezekiah Alexander Rock House and the Siloam School - and on Saturday, October 10, you'll have the chance to explore both properties at the museum's annual East Side Sol celebration!

This free festival will also include a Garinger High School history meetup, exhibits, family-friendly activities, and more.

This is a great chance to support local history and we hope to see you there! https://meck.co/4i2En0e

10/06/2026

Today is a good day to celebrate local businesses! Here are just a few small businesses that are also designated historic landmarks:

-Davis General Store, 8940 Old Statesville Road, Charlotte. Established in 1890 and in its current building since 1908, this store carries a variety of necessities, including local items.

-Pineville Commercial Block, Main Street, Pineville. A combination of commercial spots makes up this block that is a reminder of small-town architecture once prevalent in Mecklenburg County.

-Highland Park Mill #1, 1115 N. Brevard Street, Charlotte. Known largely as a food hall, Optimist Hall also has retail spots, so you can find something for yourself and even your pet!

-Renfrow Hardware, 188 N. Trade Street, Matthews. This is one of the earliest stores in the Town of Matthews that still functions as its original purpose. If you're doing yard or housework, this is the place for you.

We hope you'll keep these historic landmarks in mind on your next shopping trip!

For more on these properties: https://meck.co/3K0JIae

Address

2100 Randolph Road
Charlotte, NC
28207

Telephone

+19803147660

Website

http://landmarkscommission.org/

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