Expert Confirms Slave Burial Site Near Proposed TopGolf Location

CHARLOTTE, NC — PHD historian and former UNC-Charlotte professor Dr. Dan Morrill has confirmed the rumors of a slave burial site at the Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

“It has all of the typical features,” said Morrill.

He found it in the wooded area beyond the cemetery stone wall. Nineteen graves of formerly enslaved African Americans, likely members of the Church.

Dr. Morrill says, “The ground cover is almost always periwinkle in this part of the country. The graves are unmarked except with stones.”

Read Dr. Morrill’s full report here: Report On Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church

Developers, The Browder Group, hired Morrill since they have petitioned the city to rezone the vacant land between Mallard Creek and I-85 by the Church to build a massive TopGolf complex.

We spoke with a representative for the group who says they are committed with the Church to preserving the graves and not disturbing the area.

“Where it’s located, it would be substantially removed from any development that occurred on the site.”

But that’s just one of the major issues for neighbors in the area.

“It’s been a very contentious debate.”

Councilman Greg Phipps represents District 4 and says he’s met with neighbors, but he won’t say which way he’s voting without further debate.

Councilwoman At Large Claire Fallon was much more direct on her opinion and vote.

“I’m not voting for it. I don’t want a bar that’s open until 2am with golf. It’s not the proper place, it’s a residential area.”

Fallon says other sites away from residential areas have been offered to the developers.

Councilman Phipps says the council is taking the vote seriously by speaking with the public, and even visiting both the Arrowood location already open and the proposed site before they vote.

“It’s not a done deal at all right now,” says Phipps. “It’s still a very much in process state of flux.”