GOODNIGHT BROTHERS WHOLESALE GROCERS BUILDINGS, JUNE 1985

 West Main Avenue looking west from Marietta Street.  From See It Now, edited by Greensboro native Edward R. Murrow and Fred W. Friendly, published by Simon and Shuster, 1955.This book was based on and contained scenes from the popular television show of the same name which was hosted by famous broadcaster Murrow. The chapter and TV episode (appeared May 25, 1954) from which this illustration was taken was entitled "A Study of Two Cities," in which residents of Gastonia and Natchitoches, Louisiana were interviewed about their feelings toward racial integration. Illustration submitted by Deb Lewis Erwin. (Click here to find out more about the life and times of Edward R. Murrow.)  

POST OFFICE CONSTRUCTION 1935 #1 (11-29-35) 

The home of Joseph H. Separk and May Gray Separk from 1921-1940. From In Memoriam, May Gray Separk, July 26, 1878-July 31, 1940, Joseph Gray Separk, November 11, 1908-November 9, 1940: A Loving Tribute by the Husband and Father, Joseph H. Separk, privately printed, Gastonia, N.C., 1942. (Photographs used with permission of members of the Gray family.)

Main Avenue looking east from South St. circa 1930. Post Office and First National Bank (Lawyers' Building) stand on the left.

BLUE STAR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY SIGN ON WEST FRANKLIN BOULEVARD BESIDE THE GASTONIA CONFERENCE CENTER LOOKING WEST AUGUST 2, 2015. 

 A 1946 aerial view of the intersection of East Franklin Avenue and South Broad Street looking south.  The scene illustrates the richness of life and diversity of uses that once filled this now sterile intersection. Note the human scale and walkability of the scene with the healthy mixture of small retail businesses and comfortable homes. A streetcar passes at the upper left corner of the picture. Beginning at the northwest corner (foreground to lower right corner) stands Queen's Texaco station and Loughridge Motor Company (Buick dealer--indicated inside oval) facing Franklin and John's Grill on Broad. Continuing clockwise, on the northeast corner is Beam's Pure Oil Company. The southeast corner is occupied by Tarlton's Esso service station, and on the southwest stands a McCoy service station, Boyd's Grocery, and Patrick's Hotel. Only the Loughridge building (now Dale's Small Engine Repair), the former John's Grill, and the adjacent house remain. Photograph by Jim Heracklis; print courtesy of Jim Brown, Cam Art Studios.