Turn of the 20th Century: Life in Charlotte 1900 - 1910

A New Invention: The Automobile

The turn-of-the-century saw the arrival of a new invention, the automobile and the truck. Some were powered by electricty while other inventors experimented with steam power. In the end, gasoline soon became the major source of fuel for cars and trucks. Although there were just a few dealerships in Charlotte in the early 1900s, this new way of transportation quickly became popular. Soon horse driven wagons, carriages and buggies disappeared, a long with livery stables, blacksmiths, and saddle makers.

County Courthouse

Charlotte has been the county seat of Mecklenburg County since 1762. The first courthouse was a log structure built in 1766. By the time the turn-of the-century, the city had its Fourth County Courthouse that was located on the southeast corner of Tryon and Third Streets. Local lawyers occuped the building to the right.

Higher Education for Men in Charlotte

Educational opportunities for men were primarily designed to train them for a profession. In Charlotte, there are a number of business schools, including Charlotte Commercial College, Kings Business College, and the Wharton Normal and Industrial College. There are also two, four-year colleges near Charlotte, Biddle University and Davidson College. The North Carolina Medical College relocated to Charlotte from Davidson College in 1907.

Thomas Hoover Livery Stable

The turn-of-the century and the automobile brought about an end to livery stables as they quickly became replaced with automobile garages. Thomas B. Hoover is driving one of his carriages. His livery stable was located at 233 Wast Trade Street. (By 1911, the address changed to 239 East Trade Street.) Most families have their own horse and carriage or they rent them from one of the eight local stables.

Law and Government

Charlotte City Hall was built Charlotte in 1891. Located on the corner of North Tryon and Fifth Street, it housed not only the office of the mayor and the room where the alderman met, but also the Police and the Fire Department.

Presbyterian College for Women

Presbyterian College for Women opened its doors in 1896. It was located at 600-616 North College Street on the corner of 9th Street. Young women from around the Carolinas attended this liberal arts school. In 1912, Presbyterian College becomes Queens College and moved to its current location Selwyn Avenue. Today, it is known as Queens University and is co-ed.

Good Place To Sleep and Eat

The C entral Hotel started out as a tavern in 1840, by 1900, it was a four-story hotel with an elegant dining room. Located at the southeast corner of the Square (Trade and Tryon Streets), it also featured the Gem Restaurant, which enabled working men to grab a quick lunch.

Little Rock African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

In 1911, you might have seen men moving the Little Rock AME Zion Church from its original location in the Third Ward to Myers Street which was in First Ward. According to church history, a funeral took place inside the church during the move.

Next

Elizabeth College

Although there are very fine institutions of learning for young women throughout the state, most of the private schools are not designed to prepare young women for a profession other than teaching or nursing. However, larger cities, like Charlotte, have schools such as Kings Business College and the Fleming University of Shorthand. Both institutions offer training in office skills.

Bookstores

Approximately fourteen businesses in Charlotte sell books around the turn-of-the-century, but the two most popular stores are Stone and Barringer at 124 South Tryon Street and Brockmann's Book Store at 100 South Tryon Street.

You are here

Turn of the 20th Century: Life in Charlotte 1900 - 1910