Scope and Contents Betty Caldwell shares a colorful recollection of memories from her childhood and adult life, focusing on her experience living in the Pottstown neighborhood of Huntersville. She describes her experience attending a Rosenwald school and the days of the Huntersville Colored School, which became Torrence-Lytle High School in 1953/54. Her words describe much of the social life in Pottstown, with memories of picnics, sports, pictures, food, and the role of the AME Zion Church. Caldwell comments...

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Erving McClain, a Davidson-born and raised inhabitant, shares many details about her elementary and high school years in Ada Jenkins and Torrence-Lytle. She talks about her further studies, her work as a nurse, and her family. Moreover, McCain mentions her involvement with the community through different committees and her efforts to keep the Ada Jenkins Center open as a school. She also talks about the social environment on Main Street, its businesses, and people.

Scope and Contents Evelyn Carr is a lifetime Davidson resident and a pillar of the community. Born in 1931, Ms. Carr and her family originally lived in Brady’s Alley—an area that was formerly located behind Main Street. In 1946 Ms. Carr married Orlandis Carr, and after a brief stint living in Charlotte, the couple moved back to Davidson and built a house on Griffith Street where they raised ten children. Ms. Carr has always been an active member of the Davidson community and has been an advocate for affordable...

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Frank Jordan, born in Mecklenburg and having lived his early years in Iredell County, is the owner of Lake Norman Limousine Service. In this interview he offers a brief narrative of his life and the establishment of his own two businesses, a painting company and a limousine service. Jordan talks about the work underwent to renovate the Ada Jenkins Center and shares some comments about the state of Black entrepreneurship in Davidson.

Scope and Contents James Raeford, owner of “Raeford’s Barber Shop” on Main Street, gives an outline of his professional and personal experiences as an inhabitant of Davidson since 1957. He expresses much satisfaction with his life in Davidson, and comments on his participation in the community through committees and personal efforts. He also talks about the role of Black churches and faith practices in the area. Raeford’s words illustrate much about race relations in the community, pointing to events such as...

Scope and Contents In this interview, Mattie Fletcher, born in 1937 in South Carolina, talks about different aspects of her life around the areas of Davidson, Huntersville, and Mooresville. She mentions attending the Rosenwald School in Huntersville, which later becomes the Torrence-Lytle center, as well as Morrow’s Chapel in Iredell County. Ms. Fletcher recalls settling in Davidson after her dad began working at the college. She describes some of her experiences working as a Nursing Assistant at the Lawrence...

Scope and Contents Patricia Stinson, a North Mecklenburg native, is the daughter of Evelyn and Orlando Carr, and granddaughter of Minnie and Johnny Mayhew. In this interview with Jan Blodgett, she shares details about her childhood and family, her primary and secondary education in Davidson and Huntersville, her work experiences including a secretarial position at Davidson College, as well as more specific aspects of life in the town of Davidson and its closest surroundings. Ms. Stinson recalls many details...

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Oral history interview with longtime Cornelius resident Ron Potts. Potts is active in historical preservation efforts for the community of Smithville, just outside of Cornelius, NC. Potts discusses these efforts, his family history, the construction and founding of local Rosenwald Schools, the Ada Jenkins Center (then school), his career, and what it was like growing up in town. Potts mentions bringing electricity and running water to Smithville, as well as church life.

Scope and Contents Oral history interview with Shane Stewart about his family and growing up in the Mooresville area. Stewart explains he's related to a number of prominent local families, including the Howards, Alexanders, and Torrences, and describes some his genealogy. Stewart was the first in his family to go to college and details some his career. Stewart describes services at Reeves Temple AME Zion, high school experiences, the work he and his family did growing up, the ways family supported one another,...

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Oral history interview with Verdie Torrence. Torrence describes growing up in Cornelius and Smithville, NC, attending Livingstone College, and working for Charlotte-Mecklenburg, her grandfather's blacksmithing business in Davidson, NC, Torrence Lytle High School, and how social patterns have changed over time in the local Black community. Torrence also explains how Black residents found medical care and car services to travel to businesses, recreation, and school.