Lansdowne Civic League

Lansdowne Civic League

History of Lansdowne

This area was among those which were granted by the English Crown in 1735 to the Earl of Lansdowne (Sir George Granville) and Lord George Augustas Selwyn.

The first permanent settlers came to the area after 1740. Prior to that time, the region was occupied by the Catawba Indians. The majority of the early settlers were Scotch-Irish, who had settled first in Pennsylvania. Mecklenburg County was created by an act of the Legislature meeting in New Bern. The act was passed December 11, 1762, to become effective February 1, 1763.

Charlotte began it's corporate being on November 17, 1768, occupying a plot of 360 acres. These acres had been deeded by Lord Selwyn to Abraham Alexander, Thomas Polk and John Frohock. These men were named Trustees and Directors, who were empowered to hold the land in trust for the county, which should raise on it a courthouse, prison and stocks.

Lansdowne lies about seven miles southeast of the original 360 acres. It is a part of properties owned by the Alexander family, six of whom signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. This action was taken on May 20, 1775, more than a year before the better known Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.


Sources:

The 1959 brochure advertising the new Lansdowne Subdivision by the Spangler Realy Company.
The book, Hornet's Nest, by Legette Blythe.

Email us
lansdownecivicleague@yahoo.com

About our association

Purpose of the Civic League

The Lansdowne Civic League was incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina on May 15, 1969. Under the incorporation papers, its stated purpose is "for the welfare and improvement of the Lansdowne Subdivision in Charlotte."

Board or Director's email address

landsdownecivicleague@yahoo.com

Email us
lansdownecivicleague@yahoo.com