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

Sam Billings

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023

1. Sam Billings Marker

Inscription. Sam Billings was born a slave in Union County, South Carolina. Billings became the first recorded African American landowner in Mecklenburg County. In 1892, he purchased 50 acres of land for $913.50, and another substantial parcel in 1893 for $1057. That land is known today as Grier Heights. Originally a farming community, Billings raised livestock and grew many crops including corn and cotton. Billings provided jobs and sold his crops to residents of Grier Heights. Today, Billingsville Elementary School bears his name.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 35° 11.881′ N, 80° 48.474′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It is in Grier Heights. Marker is at the intersection of Sam Drenan Road and Skyland Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Sam Drenan Road. Marker is in Grier Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 138 Skyland Ave, Charlotte NC 28211, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History of Grier Heights (a few steps from this marker); Mint Museum of Art (approx. 0.3 miles away); James Buchanan Duke House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans

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(approx. 1.2 miles away); Site of the First Court Held in Mecklenburg County (approx. 1.2 miles away); Harry Golden (approx. 1½ miles away); Queens University of Charlotte (approx. 1½ miles away); Cherry Neighborhood History (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.

Also see . . .
1. History of Grier Heights (Grier Town). Grier Heights’ identity as a Black community runs all the way back to the 1890s, when Sam Billings, a formerly enslaved man, bought 100 acres of land in the area — the first recorded time an African-American bought land in Charlotte. (J. Murrey Atkins Library, University of North Carolina-Charlotte) (Submitted on December 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Billingsville School (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Rosenwald School named in honor of Billings, which was listed in 1999. (Prepared by Frances Alexander; via National Archives) (Submitted on December 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023

2. Sam Billings Marker

Billingsville School image. Click for full size.

via Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library (Public Domain), 1929

3. Billingsville School

The school was named for Sam Billings (1848-1933), who sold two acres and donated another acre for the school. A four-teacher frame schoolhouse was initially built, and Grier Heights residents raised additional money to add a brick veneer. A combined elementary and junior-high school into the 1950s, it now is a community center.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 12, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.