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Stanford Raynold Brookshire was born on July 22, 1905 in Troutman, North Carolina. He became a member of Charlotte's Chamber of Commerce in 1960, and later served as the city's mayor from 1961 to 1969. Brookshire held distinction as Charlotte's first four-term mayor. Throughout his political tenure, Brookshire espoused a moderate stance on racial conflicts. As a businessman, his political moderation developed in large part due to his interest in attracting businesses to the area. In this interview, Brookshire discusses his role and attitude toward the consolidation of the city of Charlotte with Mecklenburg County's public services. Although Charlotte and Mecklenburg consolidated their school systems in 1959, the merger of city and county services did not emerge until the late 1960s and early 1970s. Brookshire explains the objections to consolidation, including fears of over-broad representation, gerrymandering, increased county taxes, and rapid political change. To Brookshire, a broadened representation produced limitations on the administration of city services. He discusses how Charlotte differed sharply from the city-county consolidation of Jacksonville, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee. He maintains that unlike Jacksonville and Nashville, Charlotte exhibited efficient government that did not require a dramatic change in local governmental affairs. Because of these varied factors, Charlotte's and Mecklenburg's public services did not consolidate. Brookshire also briefly talks about the benefits of Charlotte's statewide statute to annex heavily populated areas.

Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection

Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews

North Carolina--Economic conditions

Charlotte (N.C.)--Politics and government