William Billy Clarence Eckstine (1914 – 1993) was a popular American singer of ballads and a bandleader during the Swing Era. He is seen here performing at the Armory Auditorium in Charlotte duirng the early 1940s. Eckstine was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown
The Brown Hornets Baseball Team of 1934. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown
A kindergarten picture at Bethlehem Center, located on Caldwell Street.The picture was made at Edward's Portrait Studio on 2207 Booker Avenue. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown
The Ink Spots at The Armory Auditorium along with a Charlotte man (4th from the left). He is unidentified and he sang with the Dixie Hummingbirds. The Ink Spots are best remembered for the song, If I Didn't Care. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown
Original Excelsior Club in 1944. The Club was renovated in 1984. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown
Thad Lincoln Tate (1865-1951) was one of Charlotte's earliest and most prominent African American businessmen. He came to Charlotte as a barber. In 1882, he opened his own shop, an enterprise that he would operate for 61 years.
In addition to a his own business Tate was prominent in banking in Charlotte. He served as director of the Mechanics' Perpetual Building and Loan Company. He founder the Mecklenburg Investment Company.
Jimmie Redica, circa late 1940's. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown
Opening night at the Excelsior Club. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown
Thaddeus L. Tate and Mary L. Butler Tate.The Tate family lived in this elegant home at 504 East 7th Street. Thaddeus Tate opened a barber shop in 1882 which prospered for over sixty years. He co-founded several of Charlotte's leading black businesses, including the Afro-American Mutual Insurance Company and the Mecklenburg Investment Company. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown
Richard Weathers in uniform during World War II. Physical Description: Publisher: Unknown