1818 Patton Avenue
William L. Smith took out the permit to building this house in 1950. He was then Assistant District Manager for North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance. Based on the “Black Wall Street” of Durham, NC Mutual was one of the largest African American economic forces in the South. Its Charlotte manager, E.A. Spears, lived two blacks away from Mr. Smith on Oaklawn Avenue.
A later city directory consulted at random, for 1961, showed William L. Smith and wife Velma now running their own W.L. Smith Insurance Agency at 1230 Beatties Ford Road.
Architecture
One-story Cottage style house in red brick. Cottage style houses had more compact massing and steeper roofs than the Ranch style which was also popular in this period. This house as a main gable roof, plus a smaller projecting gable over the front porch. The “wrought iron” porch columns and balustrade may not be original.
Building permits
Patton-1824-permit
Date issued: October 25, 1950
Owner: W. L. Smith
Contractor: John L. P?ade
Estimated cost:
Other permit info: to build residence
This permit shows the street number 1824 Patton Avenue. No house currently exists at that address. It is probable that the dwelling was renumbered to 1818 Patton Avenue by owner and longtime resident William L. Smith.
First appeared in city directory
1952 – William L. Smith. (no wife listed)
Assistant District Manager, NC Mutual Life Insurance.
1961 – William L. Smith & Velma.
Both work at WL Smith Ins Agency, 1230 Beatties Ford Rd.
1981 – Irma Arnette. Retired
City directory collection, Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.