Today Dilworth is a vibrant neighborhood, as well as one of Charlotte’s most historic, having been named after entrepreneur and streetcar owner, Edward Dilworth Latta. As the first suburb established in 1891 and located southwest of the original city limit, the Dilworth suburb – east of South Boulevard – expanded to the south and east. Victorian architecture was at its peak at the turn of the century, making Dilworth one of the city’s premier neighborhoods. The area developed along the streetcar lines extending out from the city. The idea of being out in the country was important to people and precipitated the residential push outward to the edge of town that continues to be the case in modern day living. With the streetcar, middle-class people as well as the wealthy could own a home in the countryside and still commute into work.
The original section of Dilworth includes the last well-preserved pre-1910 upper-class residential area remaining in the city. The first grand homes were located on South Boulevard and East Boulevard. This historic district has some of Charlotte’s early efforts with the now-popular Colonial Revival architecture style as seen in the Walter Brem residence at 211 East Boulevard. Latta Park was at the southern end of the street car line and included a colorful park, beautiful boulevards, inviting bungalows and expansive mansions. Freedom Park is located at the other end of East boulevard. Today the Dilworth neighborhood has one of Charlotte’s finest collections of Victorian residences and the convenience of numerous transit stops along the light-rail corridor, LYNX. The Mallonee-Jones House at 400 East Kingston, constructed in 1895 with the distinctive “sunburst” gables of Queen Anne Victorian style, is one of the significant remaining residences.
Architecturally-Rich Dilworth Neighborhood Remains Historic Gem of Charlotte, NC
December 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
