The Town of Mint Hill would not exist today, were it not for a man named “John M. McEwen.” He began the effort to have the town incorporated in 1971 and served as mayor pro tem and as a town commissioner for several years. He and his wife Scottie donated the land for the first town hall. The John M. McEwen Assembly Room in the present town hall bears his name.
hen McEwen passed away in 1984, then Mayor Troy Pollard said, “It is difficult to summarize in a few words what Mr. John has done for Mint Hill. He devoted his whole life to its betterment. Many of the things we have here today can be directly attributed to his wisdom and foresight. He was an outstanding citizen….”
John Murry McEwen was born at home to James Walter and Margaret Freeman McEwen on May 14, 1905.
He joined Philadelphia Presbyterian Church at an early age and served as an officer of the church for over 50 years. A graduate of Bain Academy, he was a star on the school’s basketball court. He and his wife Eva Scott McEwen lived in a simple white cottage on the site of the present First Citizens Bank and owned all the land around it. He operated the John M. McEwen Store at the corner of Lawyers and Matthews-Mint Hill Road for 47 years.
The store housed a contract post office for 19 years. (Scottie moved to Sharon Towers after her husband died and lived there for a few years until her death.)
“Mr. John,” he was as affectionately known, served the Mint Hill community and Mecklenburg County throughout his life. He was a member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners from 1954 until 1960 and served as vice chairman during his 1956-1958 term. He also chaired the Mecklenburg County Zoning Board of Adjustments and held leadership positions in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Metropolitan Planning Organization.
He was an esteemed member of the Mecklenburg County Order of the Hornets. Mr. John helped organized the Mint Hill Volunteer Fire Department, served as an officer of the Woodmen of the World Camp 126, and was a life member of the Mint Hill Business Association.
“Without Mr. John, Mint Hill would probably never have been incorporated,” said Joan Shaw, town administrator at the time of his death. “The town hall would never have been built. I just can’t imagine the town without him. He was like family to everyone her at town hall. He touched many lives and all who knew him are better people for knowing him.”
Carol Timblin recently received a Publication Award from the North Carolina Society of Historians for her “Page From the Past…Mint Hill” columns.
