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Picture H.P.E.P.C. All rights reserved.
Time has come to have respect for Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. The Families of Elmwood and
Pinewood Cemetery, along with various concern citizens have joined together as Historic Preservation
of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery, Inc. We are about: Education, Preservation, Conservation and
Restoration.
Our dilemma is in the preliminary transit plans. A commuter rail train is slated for what is known as the
north corridor. Our concern is the impact that can occur to Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. City
Officials have been utilizing Eminent Domain to get businesses and property taken for the various rail
projects. This action can still happen to either cemetery.
City of Charlotte would not allow these historic cemeteries become designate. Reasons were due to
the development and track space requirements for the North Rail Project. The City of Charlotte and
CATS can avoid the cemetery all together with any development. We have had different government
agencies made this clear to us. The City of Charlotte still considers different development plans that
could have an effect on Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. This has been a major concern to us for
sometime. On several occasions city officials have gone before Mecklenburg County Commissioners
and presented plans that would impact Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. We have been very grateful
to our fellow commissioners for their past stands.
We do not have any written assurance by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory or Charlotte City Officials that
any future development will not have any effect to Elmwood or Pinewood Cemeteries. City officials have
told us that the actual planning for this will not happen for sometime. We were informed by Charlotte
Mayor Pat McCrory that all plans are preliminary. Yet ~ there are new aerial photographs and maps
taken of the cemetery. The new surveys are not reassuring from the City. We impel to fathom actions
proving they are doing everything humanly possible to prevent this encroachment of the cemetery,
officials claim. Charlotte City Officials promised our organization a letter of insurance regarding
Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. We have been waiting over five years for such a letter. We hope
and pray that this will not turn out like the arena fiasco.
The Harts-Witzen Gallery has been demolished and NCDOT has land acquired along the north
corridor area previously in place. Both cemeteries are intertwined with each other, but they directly
parallel the City of Charlotte vibrant history and growth. A casual visit to Elmwood and Pinewood
cemeteries quickly reveal its interments of historical significance just by reading the surnames on
existent tombstones.
Elmwood, part of the cemetery is the ultimate resting place for the relatives of two American Presidents,
Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk. Also buried in this part are Relatives of American Pioneer Icons
such as: Boone, Crockett, Houston and Davis. Also interred are local pioneers and their descendants
such as: the Polk’s, Spratts, Alexander's, Clontzs, Steele's, Whites, Springs, Blacks, Hoods / Presley
and the Orrs.
In the older section of the cemetery-- lies Pinewood Cemetery. Not many people know the rich and
wondrous history of this section of the Cemetery. Leaders who were the foundations of African-
American communities are in Pinewood as well. It is a wealth of history for an intact culture; one that
have lost much of its relevant history to the injustices of the past.
Charlotte, If we lose anymore of our history then we will lose our heritage. History is already fading
from Charlotte's existence for the name of progress. We should remember our society is built on the
shoulders of those who have gone on before us. If we disregard our present day history, we endanger
our future by keeping our children ignorant of their history. Our history is what makes us unique;
Charlotte history has helped in the procedures of birthing this vast nation. Please help us saves these
two cemeteries from being further destroyed. For progress should not have to destroy a community its
identity or its history.
Historic Preservation of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery hired individual in good faith help complete
required requirements of the National Register. Unfortunately, party did not make well on his hired
agreement with Historic Preservation of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. We have been working with
other parties for the National Register and are reaching final completion.
Former Charlotte City Manager Pam Syfert had all the flagpoles removed, which exhibits inadequacy of
respect for our veterans laid to rest. Political Correctness was the city's answer for this situation. Mayor
Pat McCrory and city officials had a United States Flag put at the entrance of Elmwood Cemetery. Note
the United States Flag should be flying over the graves of these veterans which it honors!
We desire to perceive these historic cemeteries and be able to call them “Elmwood and Pinewood
National Cemetery of North Carolina."
Thank You,
Historic Preservation of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery
Pinewood Cemetery, along with various concern citizens have joined together as Historic Preservation
of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery, Inc. We are about: Education, Preservation, Conservation and
Restoration.
Our dilemma is in the preliminary transit plans. A commuter rail train is slated for what is known as the
north corridor. Our concern is the impact that can occur to Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. City
Officials have been utilizing Eminent Domain to get businesses and property taken for the various rail
projects. This action can still happen to either cemetery.
City of Charlotte would not allow these historic cemeteries become designate. Reasons were due to
the development and track space requirements for the North Rail Project. The City of Charlotte and
CATS can avoid the cemetery all together with any development. We have had different government
agencies made this clear to us. The City of Charlotte still considers different development plans that
could have an effect on Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. This has been a major concern to us for
sometime. On several occasions city officials have gone before Mecklenburg County Commissioners
and presented plans that would impact Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. We have been very grateful
to our fellow commissioners for their past stands.
We do not have any written assurance by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory or Charlotte City Officials that
any future development will not have any effect to Elmwood or Pinewood Cemeteries. City officials have
told us that the actual planning for this will not happen for sometime. We were informed by Charlotte
Mayor Pat McCrory that all plans are preliminary. Yet ~ there are new aerial photographs and maps
taken of the cemetery. The new surveys are not reassuring from the City. We impel to fathom actions
proving they are doing everything humanly possible to prevent this encroachment of the cemetery,
officials claim. Charlotte City Officials promised our organization a letter of insurance regarding
Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. We have been waiting over five years for such a letter. We hope
and pray that this will not turn out like the arena fiasco.
The Harts-Witzen Gallery has been demolished and NCDOT has land acquired along the north
corridor area previously in place. Both cemeteries are intertwined with each other, but they directly
parallel the City of Charlotte vibrant history and growth. A casual visit to Elmwood and Pinewood
cemeteries quickly reveal its interments of historical significance just by reading the surnames on
existent tombstones.
Elmwood, part of the cemetery is the ultimate resting place for the relatives of two American Presidents,
Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk. Also buried in this part are Relatives of American Pioneer Icons
such as: Boone, Crockett, Houston and Davis. Also interred are local pioneers and their descendants
such as: the Polk’s, Spratts, Alexander's, Clontzs, Steele's, Whites, Springs, Blacks, Hoods / Presley
and the Orrs.
In the older section of the cemetery-- lies Pinewood Cemetery. Not many people know the rich and
wondrous history of this section of the Cemetery. Leaders who were the foundations of African-
American communities are in Pinewood as well. It is a wealth of history for an intact culture; one that
have lost much of its relevant history to the injustices of the past.
Charlotte, If we lose anymore of our history then we will lose our heritage. History is already fading
from Charlotte's existence for the name of progress. We should remember our society is built on the
shoulders of those who have gone on before us. If we disregard our present day history, we endanger
our future by keeping our children ignorant of their history. Our history is what makes us unique;
Charlotte history has helped in the procedures of birthing this vast nation. Please help us saves these
two cemeteries from being further destroyed. For progress should not have to destroy a community its
identity or its history.
Historic Preservation of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery hired individual in good faith help complete
required requirements of the National Register. Unfortunately, party did not make well on his hired
agreement with Historic Preservation of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. We have been working with
other parties for the National Register and are reaching final completion.
Former Charlotte City Manager Pam Syfert had all the flagpoles removed, which exhibits inadequacy of
respect for our veterans laid to rest. Political Correctness was the city's answer for this situation. Mayor
Pat McCrory and city officials had a United States Flag put at the entrance of Elmwood Cemetery. Note
the United States Flag should be flying over the graves of these veterans which it honors!
We desire to perceive these historic cemeteries and be able to call them “Elmwood and Pinewood
National Cemetery of North Carolina."
Thank You,
Historic Preservation of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery
| © By Historic Preservation of Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Coming in Late "2008"
Historic Preservation of Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery is doing a book about the great
undiscovered stories and beautiful memorial pictures of the cemeteries.
Crime Problems
Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery has a crime problem. In the past four years, we have
seen an alarming rate of vandalism thorough-out the cemeteries. However, various other
crimes have put citizen’s safety in jeopardy. The homeless use both of the cemeteries;
mausoleums and wooded areas camp well as water outlets in the cemetery to babe.
There have been assaults well as gang activity reported to city officials and they have
turn a blind eye.
Cemetery up Keep
Our city does not supply the needed up keep for Elmwood and Pinewood Cemetery. The
lack of responsibility and respect from these contractors toward the cemetery is horrible.
Please see our links below and you can view some of our pictures showing these issues.
Crime Problems >>>
Cemetery up Keep >>>>
Letter Mayor Pat McCrory >>>>>
Picture H.P.E.P.C. All rights reserved.
