(Police department image - Courtesy of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room - Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.)

Public Services

As Charlotte continued to grow and develop, the city gradually became more urbanized.  Charlotte leaders worked to build their city and alleviate some of the problems that comes with urbanization.  The city constructed new public buildings and schools, improved the city streets, added sidewalks, and provided public services such as water, sewer and sanitation, and safety.  In 1887, the city of Charlotte hired a full-time, professional fire department and paid for horse-drawn equipment, steam pumps, and water wagons to fight fires within the municipality.  Charlotte's police force was established in 1866 and consisted on an Intendent and eight police officers.  Charlotte's Board of Aldermen raised taxes to provide these public services, but they were slowly and unevenly distributed around the city.  Because city leaders hoped to encourage outside investment in Charlotte, the city's business sections were the first to benefit from the majority of the provided services.

 

The Railroad Comes to Charlotte Home Page

Return to Main Exhibits Page