Stanford R. Brookshire (1961-1969)
Public Service:
Prior to becoming Mayor of Charlotte, Stan Brookshire led the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. He served four terms as Mayor of Charlotte.
Personal:
A Troutman native and Duke University graduate, Brookshire came to Charlotte as a newspaper reporter. When elected Mayor, Brookshire was a dealer in industrial belts.
During his Administration:
- Lake Norman was developed by Duke Power Company along the Catawba River. It became North Carolina's largest man-made lake at the time.
- The Brooklyn Area of Charlotte underwent urban renewal. (Today the Brooklyn area is roughly the Government Plaza area.)
- On May 31, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King brought his message to Charlotte.
- President John F. Kennedy assassinated on November 22, 1963.
- A modern freeway express system was planned for Charlotte. A part of that system is named for Stan Brookshire.
- Charlotte developed a beautification plan.
- A one-cent local sales tax was instituted.
- Charlotte was designated as an All American City.
- Dr. Martin Luther King assassinated on April 4, 1969 in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Desegregation of schools, housing and public accommodations was accomplished peacefully.