Fun Facts You May Not Know About the Myers Park Neighborhood
The Myers Park neighborhood is an old and established one in Charlotte, North Carolina. While this area is known for its lush oak trees and lavish homes along Queens Road, there are other fun things to know about this first suburb in the Queen City.
The Myers Park neighborhood was established in the early 1900s to provide a suburban neighborhood for wealthy Charlotte residents. In 1911, George Stephen developed his father-in-law’s cotton plantation with landscape architect and town planner John Nolen’s input.
Nolen developed Myers Park’s lush, tree-lined streets on the 1,100 acre-parcel of land with Queens Road as its spine. The street plan for Myers Park along with his planting and landscape designs also represent the beginnings of Earle Sumner Draper’s career. Both went on to become nationally-known, influential designers.
Myers Park was one of the first Charlotte neighborhoods to offer electricity and paved streets. Designed to be a cutting-edge and progressive community, the neighborhood was planned to accommodate automobile traffic. That’s why it features so many cul-de-sacs and winding roads. Residents wanted to slow traffic to make the area pedestrian-friendly still.
Today, Myers Park remains known for its expansive outdoor spaces including Freedom Park and the Myers Park Country Club’s greens. The Independence Park Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Duke Mansion, now a bed and breakfast, also boasts 4.5 acres of private grounds.
You can also still visit the front yard of J.S. “Jack” Myers’ original country home, as it is today known as J. S. Myers Park. You’ll find it bounded by Hermitage Road, Ardsley Road, and Providence Road across from what was the Manor Theatre.
You’ll also still find historic Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and Mediterranean Revival homes built in the 1920s and 1930s. But there are plenty of Craftsman and modern home plans as well.
Although a popular choice for high-earning professionals including executives, lawyers, doctors, and business owners, Myers Park has long been open to a mix of people. Even back in 1911, Nolan and Stephens wanted to accommodate a range of economic classes and drew up various lot sizes and planned for bungalows alongside fine mansions. Today, you’ll find Myers Park is home to apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes.
You’ll also find many families with children living in Myers Park, drawn by the area’s excellent schools, as well as retirees enjoying the quiet, tree-lined streets and proximity to Uptown. Niche gives Myers Park an overall A+ grade and lists it as best neighborhood to live in Charlotte.
The Myers Park community also has an active association working to preserve the neighborhood’s history and build a tight-knit community.
Commercial development was in the original 1911 plan for the Myers Park neighborhood as well. Although the first area store, nicknamed “the little store” by the students at then Queens College didn’t last, this South Charlotte neighborhood is known today for its quality of life and its mix of shops, galleries, and restaurants.
If you’re looking for evidence of the little store, you won’t have much luck. Myers Park Presbyterian Church and Myers Park United Methodist Church were built on the spot in the 1920s. Nevertheless, you can enjoy some retail therapy today at Monkee’s, KK Bloom, Sporting Gent, or Fairclough & Co. Browse local artists’ work at Shain Gallery or Providence Gallery.
Grab a pint or some pub fare at the popular Selwyn Pub. Or dig into homemade pizza or pasta at Stagioni, which is housed in a former villa on Providence Road. Try Thai at Deejai, also on Providence. Or take the family somewhere familiar at the Mellow Mushroom with a stop at TCBY across the street afterward.
You can also enjoy wildlife at The Discovery Place Nature Museum, housed alongside Freedom Park. The butterfly pavilion is just one of the treats in store. Or visit Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary. This natural oasis is hidden amidst residential homes but provides a beautiful respite from the hubbub of city life.
Overall, the Myers Park neighborhood offers historic charm, modern fun, and beautiful landscapes. Saussy Burbank has built many custom homes in this area of Charlotte. Contact us to learn more.
