Banking has always been very important to Charlotteans. A good financial center enables small businesses to grow and attracts other businesses to the area.
American Trust Company, 222 South Tryon Street - Chartered 1901. Capital: $300,000.
Charlotte National Bank, 109 E. Trade Street - Chartered January 1897. Capital: $125,000, Surplus and Undivided Profits: $60,000.
Cotton was a major cash crop in Mecklenburg County. To harvest the crop in the early 1900s, farmers hired temporary laborers to handpick the cotton Some of the cotton would be pressed for the oil in a cotton press like this one.
The Belk Brothers Department Store began in Monroe, North Carolina. On September 25, 1895, the brothers opened their biggest store up to that time on 119 East Trade Street in Charlotte, North Carolina where they established their permanent headquarters.
South Graded School was located at 1001-1015 South Boulevard on the the corner of Morehead Street. Built in 1858, the South Graded School was originally the North Carolina Military Institute. During the Civil War, the institute served as both a hospital and a Federal Prison. It became the city's first tax-supported public school in Charlotte In 1883. In its latter years as a public school, it served only as an elementary school (D.H. Hill Elementary) for the South side of the city.
Joseph A. Solomons owned the Carolina Clothing Company. They specialize in boys’ and men's clothing. It is located at 602 South Tryon Street. Most boys wore knickers until they reached the age of 18.
In February of 1902, it snows 17.4 inches. This is the deepest snow ever recorded in Charlotte. General Electric begins marketing strings of electric Christmas Lights in 1903.
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.
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.
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.
