Charlotte Consolidated Construction Company Records, 1860-1910

For a time, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Edward Dilworth Latta was among the most powerful men in Charlotte. By forming the Charlotte Consolidated Construction Company, also known as the Four Cs, in 1890, Latta and five other influential Charlotteans, including Mayor F.B. McDowell, developed the Dilworth area, had their own trolley system, and had control of gas and electric power in Charlotte.

Incorporating other companies into his own, such as the Charlotte Gas Light Company, and the Charlotte Electric Railway, Latta and his group maintained an effective monopoly in Charlotte. In 1905, James B. Duke established a rival utility company in Charlotte, the Southern Power Company. In 1910, Latta sold the Charlotte Electric Railway Company, along with his gas supply business, to Southern Power. Southern Power would later become Duke Power in 1924.

Charlotte Consolidated Construction Company: During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Edward Dilworth Latta was considered one of the most powerful men in Charlotte. Latta formed the Charlotte Consolidated Construction Company (also known as the Four Cs) in 1890. With assistance the assistance of five other powerful Charlotteans, including Mayor F.B. McDowell, Latta developed the Dilworth area, developed the trolley system, and held control of Charlotte’s gas and electric power.

Latta incorporated the Charlotte Gas Light Company and the Charlotte Electric Railway into the Four Cs, creating an effective monopoly in Charlotte with his partners. In 1905, James B. Duke established a rival utility company in Charlotte, the Southern Power Company. By 1910, Latta sold the Charlotte Electric Railway Company and his gas supply business to Duke. Southern Power later became known as Duke Power in 1924.

Charlotte Electric Railway, Light, and Power Company: In 1883, the North Carolina General Assembly chartered the Charlotte Street Railway Company. In 1894, the Charlotte Street Railway Company operated five miles of track and nine cars. E.D Latta was one of the company officers at this time. In 1896, Edward D. Latta took over the company and re-organized it, with it then becoming the Charlotte Electric Railway, Light and Power Company. After Latta’s reorganization of the company, the railway system grew from 4 miles of track to over 24 miles of track.