Here's What Life In Charlotte Looked Like In The Early 20th Century
Have you ever wondered about what Charlotte looked like almost 100 years ago? Our city has changed dramatically, but there are still some historic elements that are familiar today. Take a look at these historic images of the Queen City and get a glimpse into how people lived at the time!
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1920s-Skyline.jpg?w=720)
The longer flat building in the center is Charlotte's Cotton Platform. Farmers would bring their cotton crop to be weighed and prepared for shipment.
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Tryon-Traffic.jpg?w=720)
People traveled via horse drawn carriage, by buggy, or by walking. The downtown was a popular place for business, shopping and socializing.
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![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Street-Car-Tryon-St..jpg?w=720)
This image of a trolley headed down East Trade Street is a great representation of what travel looked like more than 90 years ago.
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![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Dilworth-Trolly.jpg?w=720)
The neighborhood was established in the 1890s by Edward Dilworth Latta and was initially planned to be the Eighth Ward of Uptown.
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/charlotte-national-bank.jpg?w=720)
The Charlotte National Bank was built in 1918 and 1919 and was located on the northwest corner of Tryon and 4th streets.
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Citizens-Saving-and-Loan.jpg?w=720)
You'll notice back then many of the banks were built with a Greek style architecture. This style was meant to convey stability, strength, and solidarity.
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CharlotteCityHall.jpg?w=720)
This location was selected because it was one of the prettiest areas in the city.
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/charlotte-fire-department.jpg?w=720)
As the city grew, the Fire Department, Police Force, and Medics grew quickly to accommodate the growing city.
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![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/GoodSam.jpg?w=720)
It was built exclusively for the treatment of African Americans in the city and was a historic landmark until 1990, when it was demolished to build Ericsson Stadium (now the Bank of America Stadium).
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/presby-hosp.jpg?w=720)
Originally a 20-bed hospital, the organization still exists today on a 20-acre campus on Hawthorne Lane.
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/mercy-hosp.jpg?w=720)
The hospital still exists today as part of the Carolinas Medical Center health system and is located in Elizabeth neighborhood.
You can find tons of other amazing historic photos like these from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission here.
How long have you been in Charlotte? Share your memories with us in the comments!
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