An illustrated history of Charlotte and Mechlenburg County. North Carolina, paired with histories of the local companies.

The bustling metropolis of Charlotte is constantly growing and changing. Yet there are spirits from the past that refuse to give way to modern growth, or to be forgotten. The ghost of a Confederate officer, complete with his wooden leg, still appears at historic Cedar Grove. A longdead fireman continues to hang around his old station, and even changes clothes there. At the venerable Manor Theater, the spirit of a former manager often materializes late at night; he sometimes helps with the sweeping. A deceased bootlegger still tries to produce alcohol for his customers. And one small Charlotte house is so haunted that a former resident describes the interior as liquid black, which absorbs even light. Despite the Queen City's long and rich history, until now there has been no published collection of ghost stories from the region. These 19 tales gathered by Stephanie Burt Williams, and enhanced by her superb photographs, were worth the wait.

"In response to continued demand for books that document this region's African American history, Thriving in the Shadows: The Black Experience in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County has just been released. It contains more than 100 archival photographs that were contributed by members of Charlotte's African American community. Novello Festival Press, the publishing arm of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, has produced the book. Fannie Flono, Associate Editor of The Charlotte Observer, wrote essays and conducted interviews with prominent members of the black community. Many of the stories are in the voices of those who lived them, and provide insight into how the black residents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg survived and thrived in the shadows of racism, segregation and Jim Crow. These narratives also illuminate present-day issues of race, class and politics."--Publisher's website.