What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1950s Through Stunning Vintage Photos

The United House of Prayer for all People is located on South McDowell Street. This denomination was founded by Bishop `Sweet Daddy Grace` in 1924.

Tryon Street in the 1950s with its many office buildings and shops.

A parking lot located in the 200 block of South Church Street, looking east toward the back of the Johnston Building in the center and the Piedmont Building on the right.

Charlotteans on the northeast corner of Trade and Tryon Streets, which is otherwise known as the Square. Physical Description: 8x10 glossy Publisher: Unknown

The Dowd Flats were located on the corner of South Boulevard and East Morehead Street.

Jerry's Drive-In Restaurant was located on Independence Boulevard at the intersection of East Fourth Street near Elizabeth Avenue.

Trade Street looking east from Brevard Street toward Caldwell Avenue.

The Piedmont Building was located at 222 South Tryon Street. Designed by Frank P. Milburn, it was considered the finest office building in North Carolina for its time. Built around 1898, it was demolished in 1957.

The second Charlotte Public Library opened its doors in 1956. It was located at 310 North Tryon Street. This building was replaced in 1988 with a modern facility on the same site.

This cannon was captured by the United States military in the West Indies in 1898 during the Spanish American War. It was manufactured on May 24, 1769. President William McKinley donated the cannon to Charlotte in 1900. It was placed in front of Post Office on West Trade Street. This photograph was taken on May 16, 1958. Today it is located at the Charlotte Museum of History on Shamrock Drive.

This is an interior view of the 1956 Main Branch of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County at 310 North Tryon Street.

Looking west on Trade Street, past the Church Street intersection, one can see the Selwyn Hotel on the right.

This is the entrance to the tunnel or underpass that once connected South Boulevard and East Morehead Street. It enabled students from Alexander Graham Jr. High School to cross the street safely. The building in the background is the Dowd Flats.

Photograph of Morehead Street looking east toward the intersection of McDowell Street and Dilworth Road.

The intersection of East Morehad Street when it crossed Independence Boulevard. The picture captures what buildings could be seen looking northeast. The Stuart W. Cramer's House on the corner.

Photograph of the northeast corner of Morehead and Independence Blvd. The restaurant on the corner was formerly the home of Stuart W. Cramer.

A view of North Cecil Street (now Kings Drive) heading towards the intersection of East 7th Street just beyond the Park Center.

Kenilworth Avenue looking south past Romany Road at the intersection with Scott Avenue.

People standing on the corner of Trade and Tryon Streets while waiting for the light to change.

Independence Boulevard looking north from Morehead Street toward the Caldwell Street connector on the right and the intersection in the center. Stonewall Avenue did not cross through at this time.

A parking lot at the southeast corner of Third and Tryon Streets where the First Union National Bank was built.

View of uptown Charlotte looking down South Tryon Street in the 1950s. Brownlee Jewelers is on the left right next door to the Liberty Life Building.

Minnie Alma Blake was coach of the West Charlotte High School basketball team. She is pictured with the girls’ All-Star basketball team. Players, from left to right: Ruth Gartrell, Mattie Eaves, Mary Alice Alexander, unknown, unknown, unknown, Jessie Mae Young.

Stamped label above photo reads "Meeting of Yadkin Presbytery at the Covenant U.P. Church, Durham N.C. Spring 1954 Reverend Calvin A. Hood, Ordained"

The 1959 Main Branch of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County replaced the 1903 Carnegie Library on the same site.

The Hezekiah Alexanders House was erected in 1774. In 1950, the Charlotte Chapter of the D. A. R. restored the home.