Trolleys made possible the development of Charlotte's earliest neighborhoods, and they served as a catalyst for the city's first era of economic growth at the turn of the last century. But they also moved residents around town, bringing people from all classes together to interact on a daily basis. As a result, trolleys played a defining role in the creation of the young city's social and economic fabric.

Mass transit in the 21st century has the potential to do that again. Charlotte Trolley powers that transformation through its ambitious new museum devoted to the history of streetcars in the Queen City with an educational program that highlights social and economic change in our community. The Museum focuses on the future – and helps shape it -- by teaching people what was done before. Then they can put those lessons into action as the community grapples with the challenges posed by growth, high energy prices and environmental concerns. Learn more about our plans for the Powerhouse Museum and our group outings.

CTI’s Partnership with the City of Charlotte: Economic Development Meets Public Transit

In June, 1998, the Charlotte City Council allocated $16.7 million in public funds to create a two-mile rail transit corridor through Uptown Charlotte and Historic South End which would accommodate both vintage trolley and eventually light rail transit. Trolley proponents believed this investment would stimulate economic development along the corridor, and that property tax values would be high enough to repay the investment in eight years. In fact, it took only four years, and the City's investment paid off even before the Uptown component of the trolley line was established. Since the creation of the Historic South End Municipal Service District in 2001, property values in the corridor have increased by 89.6%. Today, more than $600 million in private funds have been invested in the development of over 800,000 square feet of space along South End's trolley corridor. In the Fall of 2007, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will offer trolley and light rail service along this corridor, leading to even greater levels of development, and connecting Uptown and South End even more closely.

Service to the Community

Charlotte Trolley, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1988. Since 1996, Charlotte Trolley volunteers have provided an estimated 14,500 hours of service to our community - motoring trolleys, interpreting history and architecture, restoring trolley cars, coordinating school groups and special events, manning the Gift Shop, and performing administrative tasks. Learn more about volunteering at Charlotte Trolley