My how the times have changed!

[Greenville]

Out of touch? With what, the past? Certainly not the present. Are you old enough to remember the 1950's, if not, then you really don't know what you are talking about, do you? Actually, Greeenville is sort of playing catchup, but in a thoughtful and well-planned way.

So the only people with a valid opinion are those who were around in the 1950's?!? Yeah, that makes sense.

[StrangeCock]

What was the deal with the Woodside Building? Why did they tear down the tallest building in town???

[goodbye]

In the name of "progression." I think we can all agree it was short-sighted "progression." The South Carolina National Bank building (now Wachovia Place) was built on that same location.

[mallguy]

I agree with you, Skyliner. I think more modern office space was needed, and it was cheaper to tear down the building and start over rather than remodel it. Too bad as older office buildings in places such as NYC are often renovated and are brought up to Class A standards.

[OutlawSteph]

LMBO!!

"Moo!"

[gs3]

MOO!

[goodbye]

I agree with you, Skyliner. I think more modern office space was needed, and it was cheaper to tear down the building and start over rather than remodel it. Too bad as older office buildings in places such as NYC are often renovated and are brought up to Class A standards.

That is what I would have preferred for the old Woodside Building in Greenville. Look at the old Chamber of Commerce building (Liberty Building), the old County Courthouse (offices and destination health spa), and the Westin Poinsett Hotel. These have become real gems since their reincarnation. It is very fortunate we have these to remind us of the early days in Greenville, and use as catalysts for further revitalization.

[whitehourseview]

Greenville has had a bad reputation for ripping down 19th and 20th century structures. I think attitudes have changes somewhat.

How nice it would have been to have kept the original Robert Mill's designed court house that stood near where the Vardry McBee statue is now.

And I really wish the old main, bell tower building on the old Furman campus could have been saved in the early 60's.

I imagine a lot of old time Furman alum's see county square a bit sadly.

[gs3]

Greenville has had a bad reputation for ripping down 19th and 20th century structures. I think attitudes have changes somewhat.

I think in the 70's when most of these structures were ripped down, Greenville was not alone. All Southern cities were doing the same. Is was a sad era. I lived in Birmingham and they demolished one of the largest and grandest railroad terminals in the South for an expressway.

In all, for Greenville's size, once the city woke up out of the 70's mindset, I'd say a lot has been saved. The Westin, Chamber of Commerce, County Courthouse, Wyche Pavillion, West End Market, Wachovia Securities Building, multiple retail stores along Main, and of course all the multiple mills that are finding rebirth as lofts.

[krazeeboi]

^I've seen some of the historic structures that Charlotte tore down in the past, and it almost made me want to cry. Very few Southern cities are innocent in this regard.

[Beowulf]

Back when I was teaching, I had my students do research on historic parts of Greenville. One of their favorite activities was a now-and-then photographic comparison. One of the parents worked for the now-defunct Graham Photo, and he came across a large group of old photos he passed along to me. I'll post one every now and then.

I don't know his original source, and I'm not sure what copyright issues might be involved. If any of these are a problem, just send my a private message and I'll remove it.

This first is a view of Main Street, looking toward the Reedy River:

[TREY]

Very cool can't wait to see more Beowulf.

[whitehourseview]

I'm guessing that picture is sometime between 1915 and 1925? The Gower Bridge over the Reedy is there, Model T's on four lane Main St. and no Poinsett Hotel.

[btoy]

It is not just a shame the the City Hall building is gone, the building next took it looks like it would be nice to still have around.

[gs3]

Cool photo! What is the building that the new city hall replaced? Looks like a hotel or department store?

[Beowulf]

I think the building between City Hall and the Court House was the old Mansion House Hotel, forerunner to the Poinsett. Across the street from the Court House you can still see the Old Record Building, designed by Robert Mills. I believe it was demolished in 1928, so that would give you a time frame for the photo.

[goodbye]

That shot had to be taken from the old Woodside Building, so that dates it somewhere in the 1920s.

[Beowulf]

I agree. That was the only building tall enough at the time for that type of shot.

I remember that old building. It was the SCN building then.

...and, no, I wasn't around in the 1920's!

OK, here's an easy one. Guess this location:

[StrangeCock]

Looks like Ristorante Bergamo at Coffee and Main. You can even see the steps leading down to Coffee Underground. That building remarkably doesn't seem to have changed that much.

I love the direction dude in the middle of the street.

[Beowulf]

This is the old Ottaray Hotel, which sat across from where the Landmark Building is.

[Chickenwing]

This is the old Ottaray Hotel, which sat across from where the Landmark Building is.

The Hyatt is where the Ottaray once was.

[gs3]

Great photo. The front of the Ottaray was really unique. Would be cool if the new hotel going in downtown would incorporate some of the historic ideas / elements in a modern way.

[goodbye]

I never liked the overall design of The Ottara, personally, although the radial entrance was fairly interesting.

[Beowulf]

I agree. That was the only building tall enough at the time for that type of shot.

I remember that old building. It was the SCN building then.

...and, no, I wasn't around in the 1920's!

OK, here's an easy one. Guess this location:

I was hoping that Jason Greer, another local Flickr photographer, was on UP and would post this image. I guess he's not, so I'll take the liberty of posting his shot...

This shot was taken January 18, 2005. It is amazing how little the building has changed, including the rails above Coffee Underground.

[goodbye]

Truly fascinating! Thanks for the photo comparison, Beowulf.