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
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
Churches in Uptown Charlotte - note that the postcard mistakenly identifies the Tryon St. Methodist church as an "A. M. E." church
Sugar or Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest churches in Mecklenburg County. It was founded in 1755. (This building was built in 1870.)
There are all kinds of different jobs at the turn of the century, many of which no longer exist. Learn about the different kinds of work that men and women did then and compare that to the job market today. One thing you will learn is many jobs require hard, physical labor. Some people work for ten to twelve hours a day, six days a week just to provide the very basics for themselves and their families.
Presbyterian Hospital dates back to 1898. Initially located at the corner of Trade and Mint Streets, in 1903, the facilities occupied the top floor of the North Carolina Medical College, which stills stands on North Church Street. By 1917, the hospital moved into the buildings of the former Elizabeth College for Women on Elizabeth and Hawthorne Avenues, where it stands today. The faculty then presented the hospital to the Presbyterian Churches in the area, hence its name.
Hooligan - A rowdy person who misbehaves. (1896)
Jazz - American musical style (1916)
Gadget - Small mechanical object (1886)
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Charlotte started on November 11, 1874. It moved into this stunning gray building at 206 South Tryon Street in 1888. The YMCA remains here until 1908 when the second YMCA, the building in the second image, opens at 330 South Tryon Street.
St. Peter's Hospital was the first official hospital in Charlotte. Led by Jane Smedberg Wilkes, the women of the St. Peter's Episcopal Church raised the money for the first St. Peter's Hospital in 1876. In the beginning, the hospital was located inside various homes rented by the Hospital Board before a permanent location was selected in 1886 at 225-231 North Poplar Street. Originally, it was a one-story structure; then a second floor was added, and this is how the building appeared in 1907.
