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Observer Neighbors Section Highlights Steele Creek History (October 29, 2006) The October 29 issue of the Neighbors of Southern Mecklenburg section of the Charlotte Observer features several stories about Steele Creek History. Kirsten Valle's article No stopping Steele Creek focuses on growth. Before World War II, Steele Creek was a rural community where residents seldom visited the nearby big city of Charlotte. In 1940 the U.S. Government bought 2,266 acres in Steele Creek to build an ammunition assembly plant. The plant closed after the war, but the large industrial area along Westinghouse Boulevard is its legacy. The first large subdivision, Taragate, was built in 1969. Growth continued to occur slowly for the next couple of decades but has boomed since the late 1990's. Steele Creek roads are now clogged with commuters, shoppers, and school buses. The population of Steele Creek has increased almost 80% since 2000. (See Population Booming in Steele Creek, Study Shows.) Ken Garfield writes Don't let growth destroy Steele Creek. Developers are changing Steele Creek, but the community "still has a wonderful chance to strike a delicate balance between its heritage and its future." Ms. Valle also provides Highlights from community's history. Long-time resident and historian Linda Blackwelder has been researching Steele Creek history for several decades. You can find Linda at the monthly meetings of the Steele Creek Historical and Genealogical Society. Meetings occur on the last Monday of each month (except July and December). Most meetings are at the Steele Creek Library but move to Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church when the library's meeting room is unavailable due to early voting and for the annual holiday dinner at the end of November. The next meeting of the Steele Creek Historical and Genealogical Society will be on October 30 at 7:00 P.M. at the Family life Center at Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church (corner of S Tryon Street and Westinghouse Boulevard). The speaker will be Mr. Bob Deaton, Chairman of the Catawba Valley Scottish Society. The November 27 meeting also is at the church. The speaker will be Ms. Lisa Gray who will give a history of trolley service in Charlotte. This meeting also is the annual Christmas party so bring a covered dish to share.
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