Twice Vidalia's inner city, Charles has been the subject of state legislative sessions: once to obtain a charter to become a city, and once to have that charter revoked. Both actions were taken at the request of a majority of Charles's citizens, demostrating democracy at its best.

Why was it called an "inner city"? Why would a city no larger than Vidalia have another city within its own city limits? The term "inner city" was an appropriate one for Charles, for it is surrounded by Vidalia. The tarnished reputation of metropolitan "inner cities," which normally refer to rundown areas infested with social ills was in no way fitting, however. Charles residents are among this area's most socially prominent and affluent. At one time the postage-stamp-sized city was known as one of the richest towns per capita in the entire state of Georgia.

Although it had only three families, and covered only 30 acreas of land, the City of Charles contained a movie theater, swimming pool, soda fountain, billiard parlor, night club facilities, recital hall, a mansion heralded widely in syndicated newspaper columns and magazines, plus gardens that kept 15 gardeners busy.

Why would Vidalia, with a population of roughly only 500 citizens at that time permit the formation of another city in its lap? Stories vary. Some say the incorporation was a ruse to prevent Vidalia's getting greedy land-wise, and gobbling up the area in an expansion that would add city taxes.

"If this was true," others argue, "the savings was offset by lack of city services including sanitation and sewage, police and fire protection. As an independent city Charles was expected to take care of its own needs.

Other stories, by Vidalians who remember Charles Hudson, for whom the city was named, indicate that because of Vidalians' affection for the young man, and respect for his parents, Captain and Mrs. C.H. Hudson, Sr., there was no opposition to incorporation.

Charles had been a resident of the area, later named for him, but was tragically killed in an automobile accident while a student in high school.

An article in the Georgia and Florida Rail Road Bulletin, published by the line for which Charles's father was a beloved conductor, stated that one of the largest crowds ever attending a funeral at Vidalia proved that Charles, "who would have been 15 years of age February 26, was a youth of many friends, and inestimable worth."

At the suggestion of the two other families, Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Brice (who were building a mansion on the site, and with it the forementioned means of recreation), and Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Brewton (for whom Bretwon-Parker College was named), the city was called Charles.

On a granite marker at the entrance to the former Brice Estate, now owned by Dr. and Mrs. Suber, the following information is engraved:

"Charles, Georgia named in Honor of Charles Hendricks Hudson, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Hudson, Sr. Born in Augusta, GA, February 28, 1913, Died in Vidalia, GA, February 3, 1928. Incorporated in March 1937."

Incorporating Charles as a city was serious business to those early residents. It meant writing a charter, and electing a full slate of officers. Alas, there were not enough men in the city to fill the offices. Thus began a precedent of electing women, and added a new term, "petticoat government," to vocabularies.

The first mayor was Captain Hudson. The councilmen were: M.F. Brice, J.C. Brewton, Mrs. M.F. Brice, and Mrs. Charles Hudson.