2023 SOBA America
National Convention Highlights

• SOBA Carolinas welcomes SOBANS and their patrons to the Queen City. Here are some fun facts about Charlotte
  
   

  Charlotte Facts The Average Local Couldn’t Even Tell You

  Charlotte has culture, food, entertainment, adventure, and some of the friendliest people in the country. There are so many cool things about Charlotte, some of which the city’s residents don’t even know about. We’re letting you in on some little-known facts about the great city of Charlotte. Check ’em out!

  1. “Uptown” Really Is Up

  Charlotte residents have referred to the downtown area as “Uptown” for years before it was officially designated, the historic sector of “Uptown Charlotte” in 1974. Not many locals know that “uptown” actually does sit at a higher elevation than the rest of the city.

  2. The Charlotte Metropolitan Area is the Largest in the U.S Without a Zoo

  However, the North Carolina Zoo isn’t too far away (a little over an hour drive depending on where you are) and is home to one of America’s largest chimpanzee troops! If you’re up for a road trip, it’s definitely a place worth spending a day at.

  3. Independence Square is a Major Historical Site

  In the 1700’s, two major pathways came together in Charlotte. One was the Great Wagon Road, built by European settlers stretching from Philadelphia to Georgia and the other being a large Native American trail. Today, these roads are Trade and Tryon and they intersect at Independence Square.  

  4. A King’s Tribute to His Queen

  As most Charlotte locals know, King George III named “Charlotte Town” after his wife, Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Not many know the county of Mecklenburg is named after the region of Germany she was born in.

  5. Nicknamed “The Hornet’s Nest”

  Charlotte residents love their Hornets, but how many of them can say they know why the hornet is so prevalent in our city? Not many. It’s actually a historical reference. In 1780, General Cornwallis led his troops into Charlotte, but due to the strong fight the locals put up, they didn’t stay long. Thus, Cornwallis dubbed Charlotte a “Hornet’s Nest of Rebellion.”

  6. A NASCAR Hub

  NASCAR events are what Charlotte residents live for. The Charlotte Motor Speedway holds three of NASCAR’s biggest annual events: The Coca-Cola 600, the Bank of America 500, and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Not many realize that 75% of all NASCAR teams in the world are headquartered within two hours of Charlotte!

  7. The Beginning of America’s Gold Rush

  In 1799, Conrad Reed found a 17-pound gold nugget on his family’s property. This would become the first documented gold finding in the U.S, triggering the nation’s gold rush.

  8. Boasts The World’s Largest Man-Made Whitewater River

  The U.S National Whitewater Center is located on the outskirts of Charlotte and is home to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. The river’s powerful pumps can unleash enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in eight seconds! The center is a great place to play, relax, and learn. Check it out.

  9. Home To the Top-Ranked Children’s Museum in America

  ImaginOn is a one-of-a-kind youth destination in Charlotte, visited by more than 300,000 people annually. The museum is gaining national attention and ranks as one of the country’s top children’s museums!

  10. The First Family Dollar Location Ever

  Now, Family Dollar has thousands of locations (8,185 to be exact) in 48 states and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dollar Tree. But, in 1989, their original store opened in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte is a pretty interesting place, wouldn’t you agree? There’s no doubt about it, we love our city and all of its unknowns!

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