Charlotte renames 2 more streets with names tied to slavery, Confederacy

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The name will take effect in May.

Stonewall Street will be renamed Brooklyn Village Avenue. That name honors the legacy of Brooklyn, a predominantly Black neighborhood that was located in Charlotte’s second ward.

This name will be in effect at the end of June.

In March, uptown Charlotte’s East/West Hill Street had four non-continuous sections that required four new names.

The city of Charlotte has renamed several streets in the last year to remove names with ties to white supremacists, Confederate leaders or slave owners.

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Here are the new names for Hill Street that were effective March 18:

• West Hill between McNinch Street and South Cedar Street will be renamed Westmere Avenue
• West Hill between South Cedar Street and Eldridge Street will become Stadium View Drive.
• East Hill at Royal Court will be renamed Civil Street.
• East/West Hill between South Church St. and South College St. will be renamed “Good Samaritan Way” in honor of Good Samaritan Hospital, built in 1891. It was the first private hospital in North Carolina built to provide services to Charlotte’s African American community. The building was ultimately demolished in 1996 to make room for what is now Bank of America Stadium.

Charlotte’s Legacy Commission said Daniel H. Hill was a Confederate officer who spent time before and after the Civil War in Charlotte. He is remembered for his college textbook, Elements of Algebra, and for leading important strategic victories during the war. He also edited a Charlotte-based magazine, The Land We Love, which was influential throughout the South from 1866 through 1869, the Legacy Commission said. West Hill Street is named in his honor.

“All across North Carolina, people had to come here, because it was the only hospital that would take Black people back then,” said Dr. Kelley Eaves-Boykin, who chairs the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Heritage Committee. “I think it’s a great thing that they’re recognizing the need to rename.”

On Feb. 10, the city said Morrison Boulevard would become Carnegie Boulevard. Carnegie Boulevard will be extended to replace Morrison Boulevard, effective March 31.

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Back in January, the city announced three additional streets had new names -- Zebulon Avenue, Jackson Avenue and Aycock Lane.

Israfel Ford lives just off the newly named Yellowstone Drive in west Charlotte -- the street once known as Zebulon Avenue. She told Channel 9 the change is welcome.

“I know that it is part of the past, but there are a lot of people that feel hurt still from that, even though it’s been generations ago,” she said.

The renamings followed approval from the Charlotte city council to adopt recommendations from the Legacy Commission.

The other changes are scattered across the city. They included Aycock Lane in south Charlotte, which is now called Wall Street. Jackson Avenue in Plaza Midwood is now Cross Trail Drive.

Neighbor Ernie Williams lives along Cross Trail Drive.

“It takes more than just changing the names of streets,” he said.

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While he appreciates the city’s sentiment, he said a renamed street won’t erase a painful past for Black families. He at least hopes the signs will serve as a reminder to treat neighbors better than the time the former signs reflect.

“Everyone is responsible for treating their neighbor right, that’s all it is,” he said.

The city renamed Jefferson Davis Street to Druid Hills Way in August. Months later, it also changed Phifer Avenue to Montford Point Street in honor of the North Carolina Marine base where Black people trained.

To learn more about the process, including how to participate, click here.

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