Dilworth

Dilworth: Charlotte's first planned suburb

Walk it and the design shows. Streets curve where a grid would have been cheaper. There are alleys behind the houses — a service network that most American suburbs of this age have long since lost — and the neighbourhood association has a page about them.

What to see. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral stands at 600 East Boulevard on a full city block; the cathedral building dates from 1954 and the parish itself from 1923. Latta Park carries the founder's name. Along the eastern edge, Little Sugar Creek Greenway gives a continuous paved route south to Freedom Park and north to Uptown — just under four miles between Brandywine Road and 7th Street, with parking and restrooms at the Freedom Park end.

Finding your way into the history. The Dilworth Community Association, which is entirely volunteer-run, publishes its own history pages, maps, a timeline art project and a guide to the alleys, and it also explains something that confuses most newcomers: the difference between the neighbourhood association and the city's Historic District Commission. If you are researching a house or planning work on one, start there.

The association runs an annual home tour that opens private houses to visitors, along with several other neighbourhood events through the year. Dates change — check their site.

Practical note: some neighbourhood facilities are periodically closed for construction. The association's site carries current notices.