The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Rd. as it was in 1944. photo courtesy of Edith Ligon Shearin. HO Edith Ligon Shearin
Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road was Charlotte’s first exclusive Black club when it opened in 1944.Writer: James Peeler Collection at Johnson C. Smith University
The Excelsior Club at 921 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, N.C. Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Alex Slitz alslitz@charlotteobserver.com
James Ferguson, owner of the Excelsior Club, is surrounded by family and friends as he spoke to reporters outside the club on Beatties Ford Road, Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2017.Over 73 years Charlotte's historic Excelsior Club has survived economic downturns, racial upheaval and changing ownership. Now it not only faces foreclosure, but nearly $200,000 in federal taxes. Davie Hinshaw dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club,on Beatties Ford Road, Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2017.Over 73 years Charlotte's historic Excelsior Club has survived economic downturns, racial upheaval and changing ownership. Now it not only faces foreclosure, but nearly $200,000 in federal taxes. Davie Hinshaw dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club,on Beatties Ford Road, Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2017.Over 73 years Charlotte's historic Excelsior Club has survived economic downturns, racial upheaval and changing ownership. Now it not only faces foreclosure, but nearly $200,000 in federal taxes. Davie Hinshaw dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club at 921 Beatties Ford Rd. In Charlotte, NC on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road stands in ruins as demoliton nears completion in Charlotte on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 12:37 PM.
