Why does a wide sidewalk run through the Elizabeth neighborhood with no streets around it?
In the early part of the 20th century, residents in Charlotte’s neighborhoods relied on the streetcar lines in order to commute into Uptown. The system of streetcars around town spurred development and made the homes along the streets where the trolleys ran the most desirable for their convenience.
One of those streets was 7th, where a streetcar line ran out of Uptown, up Elizabeth Avenue, down Hawthorne Lane, and up 7th Street, ending at Clarice Avenue. As developers worked on the Rosemont subdivision of Elizabeth, they had the idea to create the Trolley Walk. This public stretch of sidewalk would make it more convenient for those who lived on the side streets to access the trolley at its terminus—something that would make the homes on those streets more valuable.
By the 1930s, streetcars were no longer in fashion and the system closed. And by the 1950s the main streets had become congested and noisy, actually making their homes less valuable. Today, the Trolley Walk is one of the few remnants of the time when streetcars were changing the way the city worked and lived. And while local residents may not use it to walk to the streetcar, its attractive hedges and well-kept path still make it a popular spot for a stroll.
Visit the Trolley Walk
WHAT: A walkway that connects East Fifth Street and East Seventh Street in the Elizabeth neighborhood
WHERE: It can be entered from 7th St. across the street from Clarice Ave.
COST: Free
PRO TIP: While there are some lights along the path, it’s best to check this out during the day.
This story comes from Sarah Crosland’s book “Secret Charlotte: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure,” which you can buy on Amazon here or at local shops like Park Road Books and Paper Skyscraper. It’s a great read for anyone who loves Charlotte — and we’re not just saying that because she’s our former boss.
Photos:Sarah Crosland
This story was originally published September 15, 2017 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Why does a wide sidewalk run through the Elizabeth neighborhood with no streets around it?."