Eleanor Heights was established in the mid-1900s during a time when African American families sought opportunities for homeownership and community building in a segregated Charlotte. The neighborhood was named "Eleanor Heights" as part of the trend to develop suburban-style communities that catered to Black professionals, educators, and working-class families.

As part of the Beatties Ford Road corridor, Eleanor Heights grew alongside key cultural and educational landmarks, such as

Johnson C. Smith University, which served as a hub for intellectual and social progress for Charlotte’s African American residents. The proximity to this historic university attracted families who were invested in education and community improvement.