In 1850 Charlotte was just beginning to emerge as a commerce center in the South. During the next twenty year, Charlotte would suffer through the Civil War and the beginnings of reconstruction.
During this time Charlotte's first horse drawn fire engine was purchased, gas lights were installed on Charlotte streets, Biddle University (a forerunner of Johnson C. Smith University) was established and the Charlotte Observer began publishing a daily newspaper. Find out what happened during the administration of each of the following Charlotte mayors:
