There are over 150 grocers, bakers, and butchers listed in The Charlotte City Directory in the early 1900s. Every neighborhood in the city has its own corner grocer.
The Berryhill Grocery Store in Fourth Ward (Today, the building is the Alexander Michael's Restaurant at 401 W 9th St.)
Looking north on Tryon Street, you see buildings that vary in architectural styles. Most of them are just a few stories high. Electric street cars are the main form of public transportation. The city was decorated for the May 20th celebration of 1909 and the distinguished guest was President William Howard Taft.
The Southern Manufacturers Club, an all men’s club organized in 1894. Fourteen years later in 1908, work began on this handsome building, designed by C.C. Hook, at 134 West Trade Street at a cost of $100,000. Living quarters for the single members were located on the third floor. Some of Charlotte’s most prominent businessmen call this home.
The Scots Irish settlers established Presbyterian churches throughout the counties in the 1700s. At the turn-of-the-century, there were two Presbyterian churches in Charlotte in uptown Charlotte. First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte was organized in 1832. Originally a small church, that building was replaced with the completion of this beautiful structure on November 17, 1895.
North Graded School opened in 1900. It was located at 600 North Brevard. There were eighteen classrooms in the school. Frank P. Milburn of Washington, D.C. was the architect. It cost $35,000 to build this school.
Most towns in America support at least one local band. The Charlotte Drum & Bugle Corp, was a popular town booster. Our city’s motto “Watch Charlotte Grow” appears on the bass drums.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church began as a mission in 1834. It becomes a parish of the diocese ten years later. This is the second building for this church. Located on the corner of North Tryon and West 7th Streets, it was built between 1857 and 1858. St. Peter’s Catholic Church is in the upper left hand corner of this postcard. The parish formed in 1851. This particular church building was completed in 1892.
First Baptist Church, was located in the 300 block of North Tryon Street. The church can trace its history to 1832. In 1906, members decided that a new building was needed. The new church would include an auditorium that would seat over 1,000 people and would cost $50,000. Because the new building was to be located next door to the city's library, Andrew Carnegie agreed to donate $5,000 toward the purchase of an organ if First Baptist would use a design similar to that of the library.
The Baird School for Boys was run by Major J.G. Baird of South Carolina who purchased the wooden building once used by the Macon School for Boys, which closed in 1890. Originally, Baird called the school the Charlotte Military Institute because military tactics were taught at the school. Later he erected the brick building seen here, which was on Poplar Street and changed the name to the Baird School for Boys. The school continued from 1890 until his death in 1927.
Religious life plays an important role in the daily lives of most Charlotteans. Below is an estimate of the number of churches, both black and white, by denomination.
Baptist Churches - 14
Catholic Church - 1
Congregational Church - 1
Episcopal Churches - 6
Jewish Synagogue - 1
Lutheran Churches - 3
Methodist Churches - 14
Presbyterian Churches - 13
