Elizabeth (neighborhood)

Elizabeth takes its name from Elizabeth College, a small Lutheran women’s college founded in 1897 on the present-day site of Presbyterian Hospital. Elizabeth began to develop rapidly after 1902, when a trolley line was completed, and was annexed in 1907. Home of Independence Park, the first public park in the city, Elizabeth became one of the most fashionable residential areas in Charlotte in its early days. [http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/neighborhoods/Elizabeth.html THE ELIZABETH NEIGHBORHOOD: Change and Continuity in Charlotte's Second Streetcar Suburb] ] In 2006 Elizabeth had a population of 3,908. [http://ww.charmeck.org/qol/template.asp?id=54 Charlotte Neighborhood Profiles: Elizabeth] ]

Because much of the neighborhood was developed in the early 20th century, Elizabeth's trees have had time to mature. They now form a canopy over most of Elizabeth's residential streets. In addition, Elizabeth is more pedestrian-friendly than most Charlotte neighborhoods; businesses and residences are in close proximity, and most roads have sidewalks.

The current boundaries of the Elizabeth neighborhood are, roughly, Randolph Road/4th Street to the Southwest; Independence Boulevard to the West and North; and a creek to the East. Major avenues include Elizabeth Avenue and 7th Street.

Elizabeth contains two major hospitals (Presbyterian Hospital and Mercy Hospital), and a number of medical offices line Randolph Road. Along 7th Street there are numerous old houses that have been converted into shops, offices, and restaurants. At the western end of the neighborhood lie Independence Park and American Legion Memorial Stadium. A development project is underway to revitalize Elizabeth Avenue.

Elizabeth is bordered by Chantilly, which is jokingly referred to as "Little Elizabeth", and Grier Heights among others.

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