“Who’s that?” How 5 Charlotte roads got their names
Being navigationally challenged, I spend a lot of my time in the car wondering where I’m going. I spend very little time wondering about the meanings behind the roads I’m driving on. Let’s clear up some of the mystery.
W.T. Harris Boulevard
A pioneer in the grocery industry, W. T. Harris opened his first grocery store in Charlotte in 1936. He combined his work with Teeter’s Food Mart owners Willis and Paul Teeter, to form Harris Teeter Super Markets, Inc., in 1960.
Today, W.T. Harris Boulevard leads traffic to UNC Charlotte, where the struggle for the proper identity (UNCC? UNC Charlotte? Charlotte?) ensues.
Ardrey Kell Road
The road shares a name with the south Charlotte high school that was built along it — named for two families in the “lower Providence” area who have been known for their roles as farmers, doctors, educators, politicians and church leaders.
Today, the road also leads to at least three Harris Teeters, speaking of W.T. Harris.
Josh Birmingham Parkway
R.C. “Josh” Birmingham Jr. is a former Charlotte/Douglas International Airport manager, according to Observer archives.
Today, the route leads to the seventh busiest airport in the world — and to five satisfying meals, according to Kathleen Purvis.
Tryon Street
This street originated as a trail that was part of the Great Wagon Road, traveled by Mecklenburg’s early settlers making their way south from Philadelphia. The name honors colonial governor William Tryon.
Today, Tryon Street parallels a significant stretch of the Blue Line, perhaps better known as the Charlotte light rail drinking trail.
Elizabeth Avenue
The name of this street came with the name of the Elizabeth neighborhood, the only old neighborhood in Charlotte named for a woman. Both honor Anne Elizabeth Watts, wife to tobacco businessman Gerard Snowden Watts, and namesake for the Lutheran college for women that opened in Charlotte in 1897.
Today, Elizabeth Avenue paves the way for the streetcar riders — and runners.
Photos: Marty Price/Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, Todd Sumlin/Charlotte Observer, Diedra Laird/Charlotte Observer, Robert Lahser/Charlotte Observer.
This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "“Who’s that?” How 5 Charlotte roads got their names."