Washington Avenue

This modest wooden cottage was first listed in the 1942 city directory but may date earlier. It is one of about half a dozen houses still standing from the early days of McCrorey Heights, pre-dating the neighborhood’s post-World War II heyday.

From 1942 into the early 1950s it was home to Edward T. Nelson, a chauffeur, and his wife Arphesia. In the late 1950s Rev. Columbus Crawford lived here, pastor at the small Church of God located a short walk away across Beatties Ford Road at 2229 Booker Avenue in Washington Heights.

This modest wooden cottage was first listed in the 1932 city directory but may have been built earlier. It is one of about half a dozen houses still standing from the early days of McCrorey Heights, pre-dating the neighborhood’s post-World War II heyday.

1932 was the first year that Washington Avenue addresses were listed in the city directory. That year Mattie Parker, a domestic, lived here. From 1936 into the 1970s Gilbert M. Belton, a barber, and wife Carrie F. resided at this address.

The history of this house is difficult to ascertain. Residents have lived at this address since 1932. The shape of the house suggests that it dates from the 1950s. But the exterior materials are all of very recent vintage — indicating either a substantial remodeling or new construction.

This is one of a group of four rental houses built about 1961 – 62 by African American real estate developer George W. C. Moreland who lived nearby at 1801 Patton Avenue.

First occupants here at 2001 Washington Avenue were Albert J. Rhue and wife Christina H. Rhue, both educators. He taught at Northwest Junior High (now Northwest School of the Arts) on Beatties Ford Road. She served as librarian at Alexander Street School in Charlotte’s First Ward neighborhood.

This is one of a group of four rental houses built about 1961 – 62 by African American real estate developer George W. C. Moreland who lived nearby at 1801 Patton Avenue.

First occupant here at 2005 Washington Avenue was dentist Spurgeon Webber, Jr., and his wife Jean Hill Webber, a nurse. Dr. Webber was then just beginning a career that would see him become one of the city’s leading medical men, known for his community involvement and extensive philanthropy. Today Dr. Webber Drive, leading from Beatties Ford Road to West Charlotte High, is named in his honor.

City directories first show this address in 1948, occupied by “Lemuel” Jackson, a laborer at the commercial bakery Jack’s Cookies, and his wife Daisy. Subsequent directories into the 1960s list him as “Lieutenant” Jackson (apparently a given name, not a military rank). By 1961 he worked at A&P (possibly the A&P grocery warehouse off West Morehead Street) and she worked at Jack’s Cookies.

This is one of a group of four rental houses built about 1961 – 62 by African American real estate developer George W. C. Moreland who lived nearby at 1801 Patton Avenue.

First occupants of this house, around 1963, were educators Horace B. and Patricia C. Caple. He taught at West Charlotte High School and she at York Road High School.

The couple subsequently moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where they became nationally renowned theater educators. Horace Caple became Chair of Humanities and Arts at Shaw University and also edited “Encore, Theater Magazine of NADSA” (National Association of Dramatics and Speech Arts). Patricia Caple directed the Shaw Players, the university theater group, and served President of NADSA.

This is one of several houses moved up from Van Buren Avenue in 1968 when land there was taken to construct Brookshire Boulevard (also known as Northwest Freeway / NC 16).

Jerry Flack seems to have owned the house on Van Buren in the early 1960s, then continued to live in it after relocating it. He was a life-long educator who taught in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and at Central Piedmont Community College.

History of this house is unclear. City directory and Census data suggest that it dates from the 1930s or earlier, but its architectural style matches no particular era. Jessie Billingslea, a laborer, and his wife Ola lived at this address during the 193os and 40s, according to the city directories. Their eldest son Edgar became a long-time employee of the Charlotte Water Works across the street from this house, retiring in 1974 after thirty years of service.