Cherry in Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Cherry Neighborhood History

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023

1. Cherry Neighborhood History Marker

Inscription. The Cherry Neighborhood was first platted in 1891 by John Springs Myers and Mary Morgan Rawlinson Myers from their 1,000 acre cotton farm. It was the first neighborhood in Charlotte built especially to provide home ownership opportunities for laborers and working class African- Americans. The name of the neighborhood is said to have been inspired by the cherry trees that grew on the hillsides of the hollow.

Morgan School and Morgan Park were built in the mid 1920's and were named for Mrs. Mary Myers. Morgan Park is renowned to be the first city park in an African-American neighborhood in Charlotte.

Mr. and Mrs. Myers wanted a better life for African-Americans and achieved this through their vision for the Cherry Neighborhood. That vision continues today, as the Cherry Neighborhood is “blooming with spirit and rich history, bringing diverse people together to preserve and celebrate our roots.”

On July 18, 2006 the Board of County Commissioners voted to rename the park Cherry Neighborhood Park, in response to the Neighborhood's wishes to more accurately reflect its location.

This plaque is placed to honor John Springs Myers and Mary Morgan Rawlinson Myers for their vision and commitment to the residents of the Cherry Neighborhood.

Park and Recreation
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Commission Robert Patterson, Chair • Scott McClure, Vice Chair • John Barry • Bill Brawley • James Brown • William Chandler • Owen Furusetht • Larry Huelsman • Laura McClettie • Brad Pearce • Teresa Sharp • Mary Wilson

Board of County Commissioners Jennifer Roberts, Chair • Parks Helms, Vice Chair • Dan Ramirez • Karen Bentley • Norman Mitchell • Valerie Woodard • Dumont Clarke • Dan Bishop • Bill James

Erected by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation • Cherry Neighborhood Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 35° 12.579′ N, 80° 49.935′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It is in Cherry. It is at the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Baldwin Avenue. Marker is at pedestrian entrance on the south side of Cherry Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlotte NC 28204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Julius Chambers: Attorney Who Changed America (approx. ¼ mile away); Thaddeus Lincoln Tate - Business and Civic Leader (approx. 0.3 miles away); On This Site... (approx. 0.3 miles

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023

2. Cherry Neighborhood History Marker

away); Homegrown Innovations In Retail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Philip Lance Van Every: Shaping Modern Charlotte (approx. 0.3 miles away); James "Buck" Duke: A Powerful Force of Growth (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jane Renwick Smedberg Wilkes (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lewis Thompson and Pattie Clark Thompson (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.

Also see . . .
1. The Cherry Neighborhood. Though Cherry has changed as the city has grown up around it and its administration has passed through successive generations of the Myers family, its early history appears to be unusual among Charlotte's black neighborhoods. (Thomas W. Hanchett, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, November 1984; archived from original Dec. 19, 2019 via Internet Archive) (Submitted on December 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Cherry, a rapidly changing Charlotte neighborhood. The Cherry community, less than a mile south of uptown Charlotte was established in 1891 to promote homeownership for working-class African Americans. Over the past ten years, it has experienced dramatic changes. Gone are many

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of the quaint bungalows that lined the streets and a lot of those that remain are sandwiched in between huge, new homes. (WFAE-FM, uploaded Oct. 29, 2021) (Submitted on December 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 368 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.