CHARLOTTE, N.C — A historic gem is located in south Charlotte along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway that tells the story of our 11th president. 

• James K. Polk served as president of the United States from 1845-1849 

• He grew up in Charlotte before moving to Tennessee during his presidency 

• The James K. Polk Historic Site includes a museum, historical homes and a graveyard 

President James K. Polk grew up on a piece of land in Pineville, N.C. Historical site manager Scott Warren has worked at the location for 17 years and loves sharing the history of the 11th president.

“When I was growing up, history was always something I enjoyed reading about,” Warren said. “When I traveled as a kid for vacation, I always wanted to go to historic sites and museums.”

President Polk served from 1845 to 1849. Warren says the house on the historic site is not Polk’s original childhood home. But the home is from that era, and it was designed to look like the house that Polk grew up in.

“We do have some documentation from 1849 of a traveler who came through Mecklenburg County who said he saw the house,” Polk said. “He described the house and even did some sketch drawings of the house itself.”

Across from the home is another building where food was prepared for the Polk family. It’s also not original, but used as an example. Warren says Polk’s family enslaved people. This second building is likely where the slaves spent most of their time. He believes it’s important to educate the public about this part of history.

“A lot of them [politicians] made their wealth off the backs of the enslaved,” Warren said. “It’s particularly important for us to tell a complete history. It’s one that tells all voices and all sides because those voices and those sides of history make up a complete picture.”

Polk was buried in Tennessee, but visitors can see the gravesite of Polk’s grandmother, Maria Polk, on the property.

“It’s really an intricately carved headstone as you can tell by the imagery on here,” Warren said. 

One other feature about the historic site is that it’s located right off the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Visitors in south Charlotte can walk or bike there.

“If the greenway brings people in to learn some history, fantastic,” Warren said.

The property also includes a museum where visitors can learn about Polk's accomplishments. He helped expand U.S. territory and created a centralized treasury. Warren says it’s definitely worth a visit.

“I think it’s important to learn about how not just President Polk, but how all of our presidents contributed to our history,” Warren said.

The James K. Polk Historic Site is open Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.