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Charlotte Postcard Collection

YWCA Building

The YWCA in Charlotte was first organized in 1902 by the Charlotte Woman's Club. Helen Sherman Ogden Liddell (1863-1961) served as the first President. This picture is of the second YWCA building that opened in 1914. It was located at 406 East Avenue, now Elizabeth Avenue.

Cramer, Alexander and Hawley Houses

This postcard captures three of the most fashionable homes in Dilworth. Only one still stands. They include from left-to-right  the home of Stuart Warren Cramer (1868-1940) (postcard mistakenly has a "V"), the Hawley and the Robert O. Alexander home. Stuart Cramer was one of the south's leading textile architects and engineers. His massive Victorian residence in Charlotte was built between 1903 and 1904 was located at what is now 401 East Morehead Street. The Francis O.

Latta Park Baseball Field

Baseball was the sport in Charlotte as well as the United States at the beginning of the 1900s. In Dilworth, there were at least three ball fields. In 1902 the 4 C's granted a 10-year lease for the fairgrounds and the baseball field seen here. Located on the far end of East Boulevard, maps suggest home plate was east of Lennox Avenue. The park probably extended from near East Boulevard to Lennox Avenue.

Lakewood Pavilion and Boaters

The Lakewood Pavilion opened in July of 1909. Built by the Four C's, the park expanded overtime to include a rollercoaster,  a merry-go-round and other amusement rides as well as exotic animals and a vast garden. Located in West Charlotte, visitors could take a trolley to the park to enjoy a boat ride on the lake or a dance in the pavilion. During the Great Depression, the park fell into disrepair and a flood caused the dam to burst and the lake disappeared. The rest of buildings were eventually demolished. 

Lakewood Station & Pavilion

The Lakewood Station & Pavilion opened in July of 1909. Built by the Four C's, the park expanded overtime to include a rollercoaster,  a merry-go-round and other amusement rides as well as exotic animals and a vast garden. Located in West Charlotte, visitors could take a trolley to the park to enjoy a boat ride on the lake or a dance in the pavilion. During the Great Depression, the park fell into disrepair and a flood caused the dam to burst and the lake disappeared.