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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

While Charlotte’s economy began to change during the 1980s, the banking industry became the next frontier. Due to a North Carolina law that allowed branches across the state. In 1982, Hugh McColl, a North Carolina National Bank banker, bought a small out-of-state bank. The innovation resulted in an overhaul of banking laws across the country. Major league sports arrived in Charlotte as it broke into the top 20 U.S. cities. Charlotte Hornets were founded in 1988 in a region known for its love of college basketball (especially since Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have long-standing rivalries, a tradition that Michael Jordan shared with his Tar Heel roots).

Mecklenburg County’s population doubled between 1990 and 2015, surpassing one million residents. Charlotte’s city, county, and outlying towns, still technically separate but facing the same challenges of rapid urbanization, building new hospitals, schools, roads, and Charlotte’s first modern light rail transit lines.

Below are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the 1980s in Charlotte.

#1 Citizens Center under construction, 1980s

Citizens Center under construction, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#2 Hebrew United Brotherhood, 1980s

Hebrew United Brotherhood, 1980s

Charlotte's first synagogue, the Hebrew United Brotherhood, was erected in 1916 at 409 West 7th Street (now Fourth Ward). There were twenty-five families in the original congregation. William Greenberg, who came in the 1930s was the first English-speaking Rabbi. The Seventh Street Synagogue was sold to the Mormons; the building is no longer standing.

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#3 Elizabeth Avenue Median, 1980s

Elizabeth Avenue Median, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#4 Citizens Center under Construction, along Independence Boulevard, 1980s

Citizens Center under Construction, along Independence Boulevard, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#5 Terrell building, 1980s

Terrell building, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#6 Taylor Hall, 1980s

Taylor Hall, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#7 ATC building, 1980s

ATC building, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#8 The LRC, Giles, and Kratt taken from the quad, 1980s

The LRC, Giles, and Kratt taken from the quad, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#9 Giles and Kratt taken from the quad, 1980s

Giles and Kratt taken from the quad, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#10 The ATC building on the left and the Citizens building on the right, 1986

The ATC building on the left and the Citizens building on the right, 1986

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#11 The Library (LRC) from the side along the front entrance, 1980s

The Library (LRC) from the side along the front entrance, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#12 The Library (LRC) extension construction, 1982

The Library (LRC) extension construction, 1982

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#13 Library (Exterior) After Construction, 1980s

Library (Exterior) After Construction, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#14 the Citizens center on Central Piedmont Community College Campus, 1980s

the Citizens center on Central Piedmont Community College Campus, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#15 The Central Piedmont Community College welcome and registration center, 1980s

The Central Piedmont Community College welcome and registration center, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#16 the sign for the bookstore in the basement of Garinger (Central high), 1980s

the sign for the bookstore in the basement of Garinger (Central high), 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#17 Morrison Hall Dorm Room, 1980s

Morrison Hall Dorm Room, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#18 Biddle Hall from southeast, 1980s

Biddle Hall from southeast, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#19 Library (Exterior) After Construction, 1980

Library (Exterior) After Construction, 1980

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#20 Aerial view of Central Piedmont Community College, and construction of Citizens Center, 1980s

Aerial view of Central Piedmont Community College, and construction of Citizens Center, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#21 Smith Hall, Charlotte, 1980s

Smith Hall, Charlotte, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#22 McCrorey Theological Seminary, 1980s

McCrorey Theological Seminary, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#23 Van Every building, 1980s

Van Every building, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#24 Majors Bookstore, 1986

Majors Bookstore, 1986

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#25 Belk at Central Piedmont Community College, 1987

Belk at Central Piedmont Community College, 1987

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#26 Student/ visitor parking lot at Central Piedmont Community College, 1980s

Student/ visitor parking lot at Central Piedmont Community College, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#27 The construction behind old Central building, 1980s

The construction behind old Central building, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#28 The Central Forum Cafeteria, Charlotte, 1980s

The Central Forum Cafeteria, Charlotte, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#29 The inside of old central high, in the auditorium full of students for graduation, 1980s

The inside of old central high, in the auditorium full of students for graduation, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#30 Welcome and Registration Center, 1980s

Welcome and Registration Center, 1980s

The front of the Central Piedmont Community College welcome and registration center. In the photograph is also shown a map of the campus.

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#31 Majors Bookstore, 1986

Majors Bookstore, 1986

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#32 Belk Chapel, 1980s

Belk Chapel, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#33 Smith Cottage, Charlotte, 1980s

Smith Cottage, Charlotte, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#34 Students in a science classroom, Charlotte, 1980s

Students in a science classroom, Charlotte, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#35 Students speaking at a Johnson C. Smith University Homecoming football game, 1980s

Students speaking at a Johnson C. Smith University Homecoming football game, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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#36 Interior of James B. Duke Memorial Library, 1980s

Interior of James B. Duke Memorial Library, 1980s

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What Charlotte, NC looked like in the 1980s Through Stunning Photos

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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