History

John Wilkes

purchased Navy Yard site, operated iron works

purchased Navy Yard site, operated iron works

In the record (4)

  1. 1865

    According to the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Navy Yard's original property owner, Colonel John Wilkes, reclaimed the land in 1865 and established the Mecklenburg Iron Works there, which he operated until 1875.

    Confederate Navy Yard / Mecklenburg Iron Works (site)Confederate Navy YardJane Renwick Smedberg Wilkes

    Source · checked 2026-08-13

  2. 1866 · 1866-12-01

    The Charlotte Museum of History states that John Wilkes repurchased the former Navy Yard property in December 1866 and operated an iron works there until relocating operations to West Trade Street in 1875 — a later repurchase date than the NC DNCR's 1865 account.

    Confederate Navy Yard / Mecklenburg Iron Works (site)Confederate Navy YardMint Museum of ArtLevine Museum of the New SouthHarvey B. Gantt CenterNASCAR Hall of FameJane Renwick Smedberg Wilkes

    Source · checked 2026-08-13

  3. 1882

    In 1882, Jane Renwick Smedberg Wilkes — who had earlier helped found St. Peter's (Charlotte's first general) Hospital — began a fundraising campaign, together with the parishioners of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, to establish a second Charlotte hospital dedicated to the city's Black residents.

    Unverified — sourced but not confirmed against a primary record.

    Mecklenburg PresbyteryFirst United Presbyterian ChurchFirst Baptist Church WestPresbyterian HospitalGood Samaritan HospitalMercy HospitalSt. Peter's Episcopal ChurchPeterJane Renwick Smedberg Wilkes

    Source · checked 2026-08-13

  4. 1888 · 1888-12-18

    The cornerstone of Good Samaritan Hospital, funded by St. Peter's Episcopal Church and its parishioners under Jane Wilkes's leadership, was laid in Charlotte on December 18, 1888, at a ceremony attended by both Black and white Charlotte residents.

    Good Samaritan Hospital siteMecklenburg PresbyteryFirst United Presbyterian ChurchFirst Baptist Church WestPresbyterian HospitalGood Samaritan HospitalMercy HospitalSt. Peter's Episcopal ChurchPeterJane Renwick Smedberg Wilkes

    Source · checked 2026-08-13