Matheson Bridge

Though the bridge itself is simply a means of foregoing the need of an intersection on the west side of NoDa, the beautiful mural makes it stand out and a more memorable part of Charlotte’s art flavor. Brainchild of local artist Will Puckett, this gorgeous mural tells a wonderful story of Mecklenburg history. There’s a brilliant explanation of this at the listed website.
Though you may not find yourself walking down North Davidson Street most days, take the time to walk by and take in this gorgeous story/​work of art. It’s quite remarkable and more memorable up front rather than from your car window.

Now I am not one to shy away from reviewing an oddball item now and again, so when Stephen K. steps up and beats me to a review of a bridge I have to think I might be slipping.
The Matheson Bridge is indeed a gateway of sorts to NoDa. Like most bridges, you probably pay it little attention — it is a bridge, after all. To get into NoDa, you simply drive under it, and since it is a fairly standard road overhead, you spend all of a half a second underneath. Most people probably do not get out in this area of town, so you likely will not stop to look at the art on the columns, but if you do, it might be worth your time — the mural developing will likely never be shown in a museum (who would move an entire bridge?), but it is both unique and historic in its subject, as well as sprucing up the place a bit.
Beyond that, you are looking at a bridge, albeit for what is likely bound to be a very short time. Just remember — other than your monumental bridges like perhaps the Brooklyn or Golden Gate bridges, how many such spans do you know that actually have their own web pages? And more importantly, those are usually run by the transit authority to tell you about tolls and such. This one tells you about the art and the soul of the bridge, and important distinction, n’est-ce pas?

Hooray for public art! This used to be one of the ugliest bridges in a city that prided itself on utilitarian industrial infrastructure. But a few NoDa artists have, with the help of many grants, painted the columns with the major contributors to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
For those of you who took history classes in the real world, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence probably isn’t a familiar document. All true Charlotte citizens know that Mecklenburg declared independence from the British years before the Continental Congress. But then they lost the document and all proof of its existence so just take our word for it okay? This is especially convenient for southern gentlemen who are ferociously proud of the revolution but uncomfortable giving any credit to those damned Yankees.
In the project’s later stages the mural will extend beyond the bridge’s columns to decorate the embankments on either side with images of the Mecklenburg Resolves, another document of unclear purpose and dubious existence.
Basically, I’m saying that they could have picked some better subject matter. Like, something that actually happened. Or, if you are happy with imaginary events, why not choose something truly heroic like the day America beat back the Martian menace? But regardless, I think it is fitting that this bridge, spanning one of two routes into NoDa’s arts district, be covered in an enormous, colorful mural.