On September 5, 1891, George W. Vanderbilt II purchased land for the Young Men’s Institute in Asheville.
On September 4, 1826, early industrialist John Fulenwider died.
On September 4, 1957, Dorothy Counts enrolled at Harding High School, one of four segregated white schools in Charlotte to receive their first African American students that day.
On September 3, 1960, Wilbur Hardee opened a drive-in hamburger stand in Greenville, launching what would become Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc., the fifth-largest fast-food restaurant chain in the United States.
On September 2, 1952, gubernatorial candidate William B. Umstead dedicated Grandfather Mountain’s Mile-High Swinging Bridge near Linville, and his daughter Merle became the first person to cross it.
On September 2, 1911, Romare Bearden, one of the 20th century’s most important African-American artists, was born in Charlotte.
On September 2, 1890, Elon College opened as a four-year liberal arts college in Alamance County.