1643 Patton Avenue

Built 1957-58.  First owner-occupant was school teacher Eddiola Alexander.

Ms. Alexander (             – 9.22.2011) grew up in Charlotte, daughter of Richard Franklin Alexander and Creola Davidson Alexander, and graduated from Second Ward High. She went off to Durham to earn a Bachelors degree, then a Masters in Home Economics at North Carolina Central University.

Returning to Charlotte she enjoyed a long career as a Home Economics educator. She taught first at Sterling High School in the village of Pineville just south of Charlotte, then later at West Mecklenburg High School. Her community involvement included volunteer work at Memorial Presbyterian Church and membership in Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

In 1950s America it was rare for a single woman to own her own home. But in McCrorey Heights, with its large number of well-educated women in the workforce, such an achievement was less unusual.

Building permits indicate that this was one of six houses in the neighborhood that were “spec-built” by Marsh Realty (also known as Marsh-Broadway), one of Charlotte’s largest suburban builders in the years after WWII. The Marsh houses were: 1604 Patton, 1607 Patton, 1631 Patton, 1643 Patton, 1601 Van Buren (moved or demolished circa 1968), 643 Fairfield (moved or demolished circa 1968). Marsh also served as contractor for 1601 Patton, 1805 Madison and 1911 Washington.