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My Hometown.....
Commonwealth and The Boulevard
  
Commonwealth was created when Independence Blvd.--now a freeway--was
built right through Elizabeth and Chantilly, chopping them right in
two. It has become a neighborhood of it's own, highly organized
and is responsible for a lot of the improvements made to Independence
Blvd. when it was converted to a freeway. What will become of
Independence when the project is complete? We don't know
yet. Independence is the home of every type of business
imaginable. It is the most loved and most hated around. I
miss a lot of the atmosphere of old Independence but I love driving on
the new Independence.
Central Avenue
 
East of Midwood. Over the last ten years, Central Ave. has
become home to Charlotte's Asian and Latino populations. Ten
percent of Charlotte is Latino and most live in the Central Ave.
area. Eighty or more percent of the business' are Asian or Latino.
The inner city contains the best neighborhoods and that's true for
West Charlotte also. Traditionally black, it's home to Wesley
Heights and Biddleville.
Wesley Heights
 
Wesley Heights was originally a white neighborhood but during urban
renewal of the 1960's, it became home to many displaced families
and is now completely black. Unlike Belmont, Wesley Heights has
remained virtually the same through active community members who have
fought long and hard to keep the community active and vibrant.
Biddleville
 
Biddleville has traditionally been black and is home to Johnson C
Smith University. Established by ministers after the Civil War, it
is the focal point to Biddleville. The Excelsior Club, built in
the 40's still exist as a gathering place today for social and political
activities.
Wilkinson Blvd.
Wilkinson Blvd., home to Little Pittsburgh, Camp Greene, and many
abandon buildings was once home to Charlotte's sex scene until the 80's
when Charlotte decided sex could no longer exist in such openness.
Slowly, this area is making a turn around but it's taking
time.
Epilogue
In the 1950's, Charlotte began to take off, and hence why Charlotte
seems so new. To the south; born were places like Sedgefield,
Scaleybark, Madison Park, (the place where I grew up), Starmount, and
Southpark. To the east; Cotswold, Amity, Oakhurst, Sherwood
Forest, Windsor Park and Hickory Grove (lived there). Go north and find
Hidden Valley (lived there), Derita, and University City (lived
there) while westward you'll find Westerly Hills Clanton park, Reid
park, and Coliseum.
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