In this first of three interviews, William T. Alexander describes growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina in the Mallard Creek Church region during the early twentieth century and how the area changed over time. Mr. Alexander's ancestors were some of the earliest settlers of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and his grandfather owned a successful cotton plantation in the Mallard Creek area of northern Mecklenburg County. He recounts when his family got electricity and their first telephone. He also explains how his family traveled to church, school and work with horse and buggy, then later in cars. Mr. Alexander talks about his family history and farms in North Carolina and shares his perspective about the development of Charlotte. He talks about enslavement on the family plantations and how formerly enslaved people came back to work for his family some time after the Civil War. Other topics include how Duke Energy Company impacted the area and his perception of World War I and World War II.