On a quiet street in Uptown, the Franks House stands as a testament to the history of the Black community that once thrived in Third Ward. On June 7, this house will be officially recognized with a historic marker.
The Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, and the United House of Prayer will host an unveiling ceremony for the historic marker on Saturday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m. The event will take place at the United House of Prayer located at 1019 S. Mint Street. Attendees can expect brief remarks from Board of County Commissioners Chair Mark Jerrell and performances by the United House of Prayer’s brass band, Horns of Glory.
Arthur and Bessie Franks purchased their home at 305 Dunbar Street in 1949. At that time, it was one of the few Black-owned homes in Third Ward. The Franks House became a popular gathering spot for family and friends, especially on Sundays when up to 50 people would gather after church for meals prepared by Bessie.
Urban renewal projects during the 1960s and 1970s, along with the construction of the John Belk Freeway in the 1980s, significantly reduced Third Ward’s size and separated it from downtown Charlotte. Despite these changes, the Franks House survived and remains a symbol of the vibrant Black community that once flourished around Mint, Graham, and Morehead Streets.
The Franks family retained ownership of the property for over six decades before it was designated a historic landmark in 2022.
