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

Schools

In the very early 1900s, students living in town walked to their neighborhood schools. The term was shorter than it is today by about three months. Students studied what most most people referred to as "the three “R’s,  reading, ‘riting, and rithmetic." Latin and Greek were the main foreign languages taught at this time. Recess is everyone’s favorite time to play games and talk to their friends. There are a number of private academies for both girls and boys. Several colleges in Charlotte provide opportunities for higher learning so students do not have to leave Charlotte.

Gentlemen's Fashions

Most men wore suits to work, church, parties, and other important events. Proper attire included the usual pants and jacekt along with a matching vest. Shirts had attached collars and bowties were very popular.

The Ed Mellon Company  (see ad below) in Charlotte was a very fashionable store for businessmen. This advertisement dates to 1912 when the store was located at 8-10 West Trade Street.

Inventions After 1900

Listed below are  things that were not invented until after 1910.

Air Bags in cars were invented by German Walter Linderer and American John Hedrik, who both applied for patents as early as 1951. However, it was not until the mid-seventies that automobiles were equipped with airbags. 

Ball Point Pen was invented Hungarian, Laszlo Biro in 1938.

Band Aids were invented by Thomas Anderson and Johnson & Johnson employee,  and Earle Dickson in 1920.

Early Cameras

Roll film cameras by Kodak were first introduce in 1895. Eastman Kodak Company became one of the largest manufacturers of home cameras. This enabled families to take home pictures without hiring a professional photographer.  The Van Ness Family operated a photograph studio and sold camera equipment and film from  their store at 125 East Fifth Street from the 1870s  to well into the 1930s. William  I. Van Ness was the son of local photographer, James Van Ness who was one of Charlotte's early photographers. 

The Bee Hive

The Bee Hive was a popular place to go shopping for clothes and shoes.  Located at 43-47 East Trade Street, this small drygoods store opened in 1902 by H. M. Efird with cooperation of Charles A. Williams of the Williams & Shelton Company.

Things Familiar

Believe it or not, everything has a history, including chewing gum! Listed below are some things you might recognize.  Beside each item, is the name of the person or persons associated with introducing or inventing the product, and the year it became popularly known.  

French Fries  by President Thomas Jefferson - 1700s

Modern Bicycle  by John Kemp Starley - 1871

Graham Crackers are associated with the dietary recommendations of the Reverend Sylvestor Graham - 1750 

Furniture

The turn of the century marks the beginning of the Edwardian period in architecture and furniture design. Elaborate wood carvings and heavy fabrics are very popular. The Andrews Furniture and Music Store carried a wide array of  futniture and organs. Most homes had an organ from the late 1800s until the 1920s when pianos became more popular. Andrews was located at 16 West Trade Street.

Play Clothes

Playtime is very important. Girls usually wear smocks over their dresses, and most boys run barefoot. In town, small parks become a common playground for children, complete with swing sets. These open spaces give children lots of room to play baseball, basketball, Hide-and-Seek, Ring-Around-the-Rosie, “Drop-the-Handkerchief, and Follow-the-Leader.      

Independence Park in Elizabeth was the first city park in Charlotte. There were swings, basektball courts, badmitton and a host of other playground activities available to children in Charlotte.

Cost of Living

 Click to see the  difference in prices of various items from 1903 compared to the cost of the same items in 2017.  

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Ice and Coal Advertisement

The availability of ice was highly prized by families living in warm climates like Charlotte.  It helped preserve food longer. Businesses that sold ice also sold coal during the winter months. Coal was the major fuel source in the early part of the 20th century. It heated both stoves and furnaces.

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