Matthews Messenger | August 2021

AUGUST — 2021

Volume 3 — Issue 8

HERITAGE TRAIL OFFICIALLY OPENS IN MATTHEWS. READ MORE ON PAGE 4

3 4 5

In this issue...

Congrats to Sgt. Julius Robertson on recent honor. Page 2.

MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

Honoring our hometown heroes. Find out how on page 3.

Be on alert for peds at new John St. crosswalk. Page 5.

www.matthewsnc.gov

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2021

MANAGER’S MESSAGE It has been a busy summer here in the Town of Matthews. We have a lot to share with you this month.

and application for the program by September 15. More information can be found on page 3.

The Matthews Heritage Trail is now officially open. This trail – which establishes connections to various points in the downtown area – has been the culmination of years of planning.

It is great to see it come to fruition.

I’ve seen many people using the trail already – walking, biking, jogging – or just getting from one place to another.

It’s a fantastic addition to our greenway system. Read more about the trail on page 4.

Mecklenburg County marked a sad and troubling milestone earlier this month – the 1000th Covid-19 related death.

If you have not gotten the vaccine, please do so now. The vaccine is safe, free and effective. As the spread of Covid-19 continues to rise in our region and with significant concerns regarding the Delta variant, the Board of Commissioners has returned to fully remote meetings until further notice.

The meetings can be viewed on Zoom or YouTube. Click here for more information. https://www.matthewsnc. gov/pview.aspx?id=20784

We are excited about the launch of a new program to honor our hometown heroes. The Military Hometown Heroes Banner Program will display banners honoring military service members in downtown Matthews. If you have a veteran or active-duty military member in your life who you wish to honor in a truly special way – please complete

Check out the calendar on page 6 of Matthews events and Board of Commissioners meetings so you can stay involved and engaged in all that Matthews has to offer.

Hazen Blodgett HAZEN BLODGETT TOWN MANAGER HBLODGETT@MATTHEWSNC.GOV BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

Employee of the Quarter: Sergeant Julius Robertson Sergeant Julius Robertson was recently named Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2021 Sgt. Robertson was nominated by Crestdale Middle School Principal Jennifer Schroeder who expressed her gratitude for his work at the school last year. Ms. Schroeder also noted Sgt. Robinson’s passion for helping students become the best they can be, and his work to build a great relationship between the school and the police department. The Town is grateful for Sgt. Robinson’s work and his impact to the Crestdale Middle School community is significant and long lasting.

Congratulations Julius!

2

Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2021

HONORING MILITARY HOMETOWN HEROES We are excited to announce the launch of the Military Hometown Heroes Banner Program. Banners honoring military service members will be displayed in downtown Matthews during Veterans Day and Memorial Day every year. Each banner will display the service person’s photo, include their rank/ grade, full name and branch of the military they are serving or served in.

Applications are now being accepted. To qualify, honorees must be a former or current resident of the Town of Matthews, have an honorable discharge and must be serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Applications must be submitted

by September 15, 2021. More information about the program is available here.

Sample banner image courtesy of NCNewsOnline.

3

Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2021

Click HERE to learn more.

MATTHEWS HERITAGE TRAIL NOW OPEN FOR USE The Matthews Heritage Trail: Celebrating Historic Crestdale is a new three-mile trail in downtown Matthews and the Crestdale area. The trail will allow users to reach multiple destinations by a series of connections. The Heritage Trail begins behind the Matthews Town Hall/Library building, continues through the Historic Crestdale Community and connects to Four Mile Creek Greenway at John Street.

Crestdale is one of the oldest African American communities in North Carolina.

The Town of Matthews and the Crestdale community have worked to preserve this piece of local history by completing this trail. Signage is placed at specific locations along the trail, detailing some of the history and interesting facts about Crestdale. The Town would like to extend a special

2

The R ailroad

thank you to Barbara Taylor, Director of the Matthews Heritage Museum for

Getting to Matthews by Rail The Carolina Central Railroad linked the Wilmington area to Charlotte, then west to Rutherfordton, one of the earliest towns and the most important commercial and political center in western North Carolina. Christopher Bechtler, Sr., established a coin-producing operation there that is recognized as the most successful private mint in United States history. The rail line also linked with rail lines to the south and north, making travel so much easier.

Working on the Railroad

Carolina Central Railway Boarding Pass, 1875.

Tank Town residents who worked for the train included Sam Boyd, James Clay, Will Jackson, Raymond Alexander and Charlie Roland. Some of them lived in “section houses” provided by the railroad. Most of the men did track work. In 1940, they made $600 a year. The train transported freight as well as people, including Dr. Massey’s bed when he moved from Florida to town.

Courtesy: North Carolina Historic Sites

her work on

This steam engine was used on the Carolina Central Railway. SAL Number 416 was Carolina Central Number 26. Steam engines needed to stop for water approximately every 100 miles.

curating the historical information.

Courtesy: State Archives of North Carolina

Dr. H. V. Massey moved to Matthews in 1879. His house is the Matthews Heritage Museum.

Courtesy: https://carolana.com/NC/Transportation/railroads/nc.rr.carolina.

Central.html

In March 1879, Dr. H. V. Massey shipped his mattress and bedstead by rail from Waldo, Florida, where he had been living, to Matthews Station.

Courtesy: Dr. H. V. Massey Collection, Matthews Heritage Museum

The train made stops in Monroe, Indian Trail, Matthews, Roberts and Charlotte.

Background Photo: Carolina Central Railway Company Records, 1873-1883.

4

The informational signage placed along specific locations of the Crestdale Heritage Trail help tell the story and share the history of this important community in Matthews. Here’s an example of one of the signs.

Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2021

Pedestrian Crosswalk on E. John Street Please be on high alert when driving on E. John Street near the entrance to the new Heritage Trail. We’ve recently installed new signs to remind drivers to yield to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalk. This is North Carolina State Law. If you see the lights flashing - PLEASE YIELD!

Apply Now for Matthews 101!

Learn all about your local government through this Citizens Academy The Town of Matthews offers Matthews 101, a six-week educational program for residents of Matthews to learn more about local government, the Town of Matthews, its staff, departments and services provided. Participants get an in-depth learning experience through weekly sessions focused on a different department or area of town government, including Police, Fire and EMS, Parks and Recreation, Public Works and more.

The 2021 session will begin on Thursday, September 16. Sessions will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for six weeks. Some sessions may be held remotely using the Zoom virtual meeting platform Applications for the 2021 session are now being accepted through September 1, 2021. Click here to apply.

5

Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2021

August 2021 Events Calendar Any questions?

Contact us!

Board of Commissioners Meeting at 7:00 pm

Chill With A Cop Good Cup Coffee Co from 11 - 1 pm

Transportation Advisory Committee mtg

Board of Commissioners Meeting at 7:00 pm

Cultural Diversity Committee Meeting

Red Cross Blood Drive Town Hall

Chill With the cheif Brakeman’s Coffee from 9-11 am

For additional details, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/calendar.aspx Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners

Have any questions about the community? Contact us!

Mayor John Higdon mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Jeff Miller jmiller@matthewsnc.gov

TOWN HALL

Mayor Pro Tem Renee Garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov

PHONE

Commissioner Dave Bland dbland@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Larry Whitley lwhitley@matthewsnc.gov

E-MAIL

Commissioner Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov

6

232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 847- 4411 matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB

www.matthewsnc.gov