| This
never before locally published photo is one of the best I've seen. It
shows the new U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in 1914, construction
starting in 1911. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
West Virginia met here until 1965. To the right is a walkway and
parking area. Today that is Quarrier Street. ( It was not a
through street until 1958.) Prior to this building, the property
held the old Charleston Post Office and Court House (and Custom
House... see below) The first thing that catches my eye in this
photo is the wonderful railing around the top of the building, which
has long been removed. Also notice that every window and door on the
ground floor has ornamental bars over them, to keep out the criminals. |
To see a very large version of this photo, click HERE
This is my grandmother and Aunt walking on Capitol St. in 1943. Notice the old Post Office light in the background.
This
is the Post Office and Courthouse that stood in the same spot as the
building above, until 1911. It was built in 1883.
Looking
towards Summers Street, you see the Arcade on the left and the bank on
the right. Quarrier Street would later be on the right.
| Of all the many Charleston postcards
I've seen in my lifetime, this is my favorite. The photo
was taken at the turn of the century and then hand colored.
I scanned and cleaned-up the card and through the magic of today's
computers, produced the image you see here. I wont bore
you with details of the photo, other than to say that the building
on the right is still being used as a library, and all of the
buildings on the left are still standing on Capitol Street. The building
with the NuWay sign is long gone and the bank building that took it's
place is now there... except it's no longer a bank business.
Hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
Postcard courtesy of Sherry Hill of Charleston |
One of the best shots of Capitol Street in the 20s, taken in the same area as the photos above.
See larger version here
