John M. Belk
Encyclopedia
John Montgomery Belk was head of the Belk, Inc. department store chain and mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
for four terms (1969–1977). He was the son of William Henry Belk, who founded the first Belk store in Monroe, N.C., in 1888.
A Democrat, he was the longest-serving mayor of the city of Charlotte until Pat McCrory was elected to a fifth term. McCrory eventually left office in 2009, after his record seventh term. When Belk was reelected for the fourth time, he tied his immediate predecessor, Stan Brookshire
, for the most terms as mayor (Brookshire was the mayor from 1961–1969), but a change in state law extended Belk's term six months longer than Brookshire's.
Before he was mayor, Belk served on Brookshire's staff as the President of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
The John Belk Freeway, part of Interstate 277
, is named in honor of him, and it connects to the Brookshire Freeway, also a part of I-277. Also, Brookshire & Belk: Businessmen in City Hall, a book written by Alex Coffin, chronicles the achievements of the two former mayors during their combined eight terms in office.
Belk was also a member of the board of trustees of his alma mater, Davidson College
, for almost 50 years. Davidson's sports arena is named John M. Belk Arena
in his honor.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
for four terms (1969–1977). He was the son of William Henry Belk, who founded the first Belk store in Monroe, N.C., in 1888.
A Democrat, he was the longest-serving mayor of the city of Charlotte until Pat McCrory was elected to a fifth term. McCrory eventually left office in 2009, after his record seventh term. When Belk was reelected for the fourth time, he tied his immediate predecessor, Stan Brookshire
Stan Brookshire
Stanford Raynold "Stan" Brookshire was a mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina.Brookshire served as mayor from 1961 to 1969. He was the longest-serving mayor until 1975, when his immediate successor, John M...
, for the most terms as mayor (Brookshire was the mayor from 1961–1969), but a change in state law extended Belk's term six months longer than Brookshire's.
Before he was mayor, Belk served on Brookshire's staff as the President of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
The John Belk Freeway, part of Interstate 277
Interstate 277 (North Carolina)
Interstate 277 is a loop in central Charlotte, North Carolina. The southern terminus is located on the southwest side of downtown. I-277 loops around the downtown area and reconnects with I-77/U.S. 21 north of uptown...
, is named in honor of him, and it connects to the Brookshire Freeway, also a part of I-277. Also, Brookshire & Belk: Businessmen in City Hall, a book written by Alex Coffin, chronicles the achievements of the two former mayors during their combined eight terms in office.
Belk was also a member of the board of trustees of his alma mater, Davidson College
Davidson College
Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. The college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report magazine, although it has recently dropped to 11th in U.S. News...
, for almost 50 years. Davidson's sports arena is named John M. Belk Arena
John M. Belk Arena
John M. Belk Arena is a 5,223-seat multi-purpose arena, located on the campus of Davidson College, in Davidson, North Carolina.It is named for Davidson alumnus and benafactor John M...
in his honor.