This is the view you would have if you stood on the northwest corner of West Fourth and North Main Street, in the early 1900s, looking toward the west.
The Winston-Salem streetcar, #7, is in the foreground, taking on and letting off passengers, in the center of West Fourth Street. And there is another streetcar near the intersection of West Fourth Street and North Liberty Street. Other forms of transportation on the street are horse-drawn buggies and a covered wagon pulled by a team of horses. Notice the cobblestone streets, with streetcar tracks in the center of the street.
The large building seen in the postcard is called the Phoenix Hotel. The Phoenix Hotel was located on the southwest corner of West Fourth and North Liberty Street. Built in 1893, the upper floors of the building were occupied by the Phoenix Hotel and retail businesses filled the lower spaces. The lower corner space is occupied by W. T. Vogler & Son, Jeweler. There is a standing clock on the corner, which is a typical sight near a jewelry store in those days.
First National Bank Building is on the opposite corner, at West Third and North Liberty Street. In addition to the bank, this building was occupied by individual businesses, such as lawyers and real estate companies. There are small openings in the building’s facade leading to staircases for the bank and for the hotel.
Notice that the Confederate Monument is not in place on the courthouse corner. The monument was dedicated in October 1905, and there appears to be a square on the lawn of the courthouse, perhaps in anticipation of the monument. If so, this image can be dated as shortly before October 1905.
This postcard was published by W. H. Watkins in Winston-Salem. W. H. Watkins was an early stationery store which was still in business later in the twentieth century. The postcard was printed in Germany, and was hand-colored.
The Phoenix Hotel was demolished in 1928. Today, the Pepper Building stands in this location. The bank portion of the block was demolished.
Postcard courtesy of Molly Grogan Rawls.
I remember Watkins stationary store in the 60s and 70s. I believe the manager was a delightful lady by the name of Fran Budd . Back then It was either Watkins or Hinkles.
I like the Way Back Wednesday addition