If These Bricks Could Talk

The preservation of the Old Dilworth Fire Station provides future generations a unique vision of the past. Completed in 1909, the structure is characterized by its original design for horse-drawn firefighting apparatus. It stands today a monument to that forgotten era. The City of Charlotte operated several other stations at that time, but they have all been demolished, The Old Dilworth Station is now the oldest extant station in the city.

At the beginning of the Twentieth Century, Charlotte was a fast-growing city. City government was supported by a mayor, a recorder, and a Board of Aldermen. The Board of Aldermen included seven members, one from each of the four wards of the city, and three elected at large. According to the Federal Census of 1900, the city's population within its corporate limits was 18,091.The municiple census of 1901 indicates 27,752 people living in the city and its surrounding suburbs. The city fathers were building and expanding the foundations of services necessary to support its growing population. By the year 1902 the city owned the city hall, the water works, a sewerage system, a crematory, three school buildings, two fire departments, a modern fire alarm system, and over forty miles of macadamized roads. The street car system and lighting plants were excellent. Latta Park, at the southern end of the street car line, was a "popular pleasure resort. Latta Park was located outside the city limits in an area known as Dilworth. The Charlotte Consolidated Construction Company, the 4-Cs, owned the land within this suburb. Edward Dilworth Latta, for whom the development was named, was President of the 4-Cs. In 1891 the 4-Cs launched, a campaign to attract industry as well as private residents to settle in Dilworth. At an April meeting of the Chamber of Commerce "it was decided to raise $10,000 for advertising our city abroad. The 4-Cs agreed to contribute $5,000 to that end . . ."

On May 20, 1891, the 4-Cs held a large land auction in Dilworth. It was a gala affair with a festival atmosphere. "In three days several hundred lots were sold ranging from $5 to $16 a front foot. The bidding was lively and the 4-Cs have every reason to be gratified at the result of their sale." One of the lots sold that week was to be the future location of the Dilworth Fire Station.

"Lot number four in square number 9 ... being fifty feet by one hundred fifty feet fronting on the street known as 'Boulevard' ..." was purchased by James M. Gates on May 23, 1891. According to early real estate maps of Charlotte, James Dates owned several lots in downtown Charlotte and probably was a local real estate speculator. He paid the 4-Cs $375 for lot number four. Gates held the property for 16 years until it was purchased by the City of Charlotte as the location for its new fire station to serve the fast-growing street car suburb of Dilworth.

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• Charlotte-Mecklenburg
• Historic Landmarks Commission
• Now & Then Video
• Donald Devet
• Diane Althouse
• Jim Jamison
• Preservation North Carolina
• Ted Alexander
• Firefighting
• history
• horses