Big Celebration Planned for Captain Jack Unveiling

I've learned there are big plans in the works for the unveiling of the Captain Jack Statue next May. They're calling it the biggest thing in the history community since the historic obelisk was rededicated on East Trade Street in the 1920s. The word is that something unique is in the planning stages, a once in a lifetime celebration, and there is already talk of closing down streets for the event. Meanwhile a 13 and a half foot tall bronze of Captain Jack is under construction in Seagrove N.C. As reported in the past, the monument will feature Captain Jack riding across a stream with splashing water from the passing hoofs!

Perhaps this will provide the spark needed to help make Mec Dec Day a big annual event like it once was. I think it's possible, especially if they would make it more a celebration of Charlotte's overall dramatic role during that time period instead of all the focus being on the controversial Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Of course, it should be understood that there is no controversy surrounding the Captain Jack part of the story; it's just a question of which document he took with him on his trip to Philadelphia: Meck Dec or the Mecklenburg Resolves.
It's a real shame that the controversy has tended to overshadow such a great underlying story. After all, no one questions most of the story. There were plenty of credible eyewitnesses who later confirmed the basic facts: the large gathering at the Square, the late night deliberations in the Court House, the dramatic reading from the courthouse steps or Captain Jack's ride. Again, the only controversy concerns which document was adopted: Mec Dec or the Mecklenburg Resolves. The Resolves were very similiar to a Declaration of Independence but left open the possibility of eventually reuniting with the mother country. The point is, regardless of which document was involved, the spirit of the story is still the same, and the fact that such a dramatic event took place in our town nearly 235 years ago is something all Charlotteans should be very proud of. Hopefully the Captain Jack statue and the Trail of History project will be a major step toward helping to reconnect the citizens of Charlotte with their city's inspiring past.

Charlotte's Forgotten Ballpark

Many Charlotteans fondly remember Crockett Park, the old minor league baseball park on Magnolia Avenue. The old wooden ballpark hosted Charlotte's minor league teams from 1941 up until a fire destroyed the ballpark in the 1980's. I suspect, though, that most Charlotteans have never heard of the ballpark that came before Crockett Park. Known originally as Wearn Field and later as Hayman Park, the facility on South Mint St. was the home of the Charlotte Hornets from 1908 through the 1940 season. Many of the legendary figures from baseball's early history played there including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Walter Johnson, Mel Ott and many others. The ballpark was part of the old streetcar route. From looking at old copies of the Observer on microfilm at the library, I learned that just about every game received extensive front page coverage on the sports page. Baseball was the only game in town in those days and the park must have held a lot of fond memories for generations of Charlotteans. It just seems surprising that we don't hear more about this ballpark because it obviously represents an important part of Charlotte's history during the 20th century. Even finding a quality photo of the ballpark proved to be impossible, but I did find some grainy photos on microfilm that I've posted below. I wish I had more to say and more to show, but that's why I call it Charlotte's forgotten ballpark. Maybe somebody will write a book about it some day.

Celebration Planned for Captain Jack Unveiling

I've learned there are big plans in the works for the unveiling of the Captain Jack Statue next May. They're calling it the biggest thing in the history community since the historic obelisk was rededicated on East Trade Street in the 1920s. The word is that something unique is in the planning stages, a once in a lifetime celebration, and there is already talk of closing down streets for the event. Meanwhile a 13 and a half foot tall bronze of Captain Jack is under construction in Seagrove N.C. As reported in the past, the monument will feature Captain Jack riding across a stream with splashing water from the passing hoofs!

Perhaps this will provide the spark needed to help make Mec Dec Day a big annual event like it once was. I think it's possible, especially if they would make it more a celebration of Charlotte's overall dramatic role during that time period instead of all the focus being on the controversial Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Of course, it should be understood that there is no controversy surrounding the Captain Jack part of the story; it's just a question of which document he took with him on his trip to Philadelphia: Meck Dec or the Mecklenburg Resolves.
It's a real shame that the controversy has tended to overshadow such a great underlying story. After all, no one questions most of the story. There were plenty of credible eyewitnesses who later confirmed the basic facts: the large gathering at the Square, the late night deliberations in the Court House, the dramatic reading from the courthouse steps or Captain Jack's ride. Again, the only controversy concerns which document was adopted: Mec Dec or the Mecklenburg Resolves. The Resolves were very similiar to a Declaration of Independence but left open the possibility of eventually reuniting with the mother country. The point is, regardless of which document was involved, the spirit of the story is still the same, and the fact that such a dramatic event took place in our town nearly 235 years ago is something all Charlotteans should be very proud of. Hopefully the Captain Jack statue and the Trail of History project will be a major step toward helping to reconnect the citizens of Charlotte with their city's inspiring past.