North Carolina at a Glance

North Carolina is home to 34 state parks and 10 national parks between the coast, piedmont and mountainous regions.  The Appalachian Trail runs through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in the western part of the state. In the East, there is 322 miles of coastline along the outer banks that includes beaches like Emerald Isle, Nags Head and Wrightsville Beach.  The middle of the state includes the three largest cities in the state along with Research Triangle Park (RTP).  RTP connects three highly regarded educational, medical, and research universities: UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State and Duke University.  North Carolina also has 12 historically black colleges and universities including the oldest one in the south: Shaw University in Raleigh which was founded in 1865.

The Catawba People

The Catawba (kuh-taa-buh) Indian Nation is an indigenous tribe that has inhabited the Carolina Piedmont for over 10,000 years, thriving through hunting and farming. At the time of European contact in the mid-1500s, their population exceeded 8,000, making them one of the most influential tribes in the region. Currently, they are a federally recognized tribe with around 2,800 members residing on a reservation in Rock Hill, South Carolina, while smaller populations exist in Oklahoma and Colorado.

Despite facing challenges from colonial expansion, wars, and diseases, the Catawba have persevered in maintaining their cultural identity throughout the twentieth century. They achieved recognition from South Carolina in 1973, followed by federal recognition after two decades of legal struggles, which provided funding for education and land acquisition. Today, the Catawba are celebrated for their pottery, social service initiatives, and ongoing efforts to preserve their cultural heritage.

The Charlotte Goldrush

In 1799, a boy named Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound gold rock while playing in a creek near Charlotte, marking the first gold find in North America. Initially used as a doorstop by his family, it was sold for $3.50, which sparked interest in gold mining in the area. By 1837, the influx of gold led to the establishment of a U.S. Mint branch in Charlotte. However, after the California Gold Rush in 1849, the gold production declined, and by 1933, the Mint building was set for demolition.

Citizens rallied to preserve the historic site, leading to its careful disassembly and reconstruction as the Mint Museum, which opened in 1936 as North Carolina’s first publicly funded art museum. Today, visitors can explore the Reed Gold Mine near Albemarle to see the original mineshafts and try their hand at panning for gold, connecting them to the region's rich mining history.

Queen City

Charlotte, known as the Queen City, derives its nickname from its historical roots. Established in 1768 during the reign of King George III, European settlers named the town after the King's wife, Queen Charlotte, and honored her birthplace in Germany by naming the surrounding county Mecklenburg.

Uptown Charlotte

Center City Charlotte's grid layout reflects its colonial past, with Tryon Street named after colonial governor William Tryon, although it does not align with the compass due to its historical origins. Instead, it follows a diagonal path along a low ridgeline, predating European settlement by tracing the Nation's Path, a significant trading route for the Catawba and other Native American tribes. This route extends from Georgia to the Chesapeake Bay and is now mirrored by Interstate 85. The elevation of Tryon Street contributes to the local custom of referring to downtown as "Uptown," with Independence Square at its center requiring an upward approach from any direction.

The Charlotte Hornets

During the late Revolutionary War, British General Cornwallis faced fierce resistance from local sharpshooters in the Battle of Charlotte and the nearby Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780, which is now commemorated by Kings Mountain National and State Parks. After his defeat, Cornwallis famously described Charlotte as a "hornet's nest of rebellion" in his diary. This phrase has since become a significant civic symbol, represented in various local emblems, including police uniforms and the NBA's Charlotte Hornets team attire.