Capitol - Blvd - Summers - Laidley - Virginia  Blocks

The photos you are about to see were taken in 1961 just before the demolition of all the buildings in the area marked off in the map above. This was Charlestons first major Urban Renewal project to revitalize the downtown area.  This part of town was THE main shopping area of Charleston since the beginning of the city. As the town expanded, and more businesses needed space, they started to develop on Capitol Street all the way to Washington Street. Then Quarrier Street started to fill in.  Now, these very old buildings bounded by the map above were firetraps and the decision was to remove them and build a bank and hotel in their place.

PART 1

Starting at the corner of Capitol & Kanawha Blvd, we see what was once the Kanawha Valley Bank building  built in 1894. This was the 3rd KVB building. The 4th was built next to the Diamond Dept. Store on Capitol Street. ____________________________________

Now we're looking down Capitol Street.  Let's take a closer look at those stores. ____________________________________

Galperin was a big name in Charleston, both in jewelry and music.  Most high school kids got their instruments at Galperins.  Notice two flower shops:  Charleston Cut Flower and Bohnerts. ____________________________________

Going further down the block we reach Virginia Street.

As we turn the corner on Virginia Street, we see Wohlmuth's clothing store, Veltri's Beauty Shop,  Totten Jewelers, Buckeye Loans, and Jaffes Army Navy Store. __________________________________

This is the middle of the block of Virginia Street between Capitol and Summers. Many buildings have already been removed to open this section up for the KB&T parking lot. __________________________________

Now we scoot down the middle of the block and see Aaron's Army Navy Store and Kan Billiards. At this point, we are just feet away from Summers Street. ______________________________________

Here were are on the corner of Virginia and Summers Street.  We'll look south on the next picture. _________________________________

Looking South on Summers Street towards the Blvd.  On the left is Save Supply,  the Summers St Lunch,  and Kessler's Jewelery.  On the right is the Lyric Barber Shop, Olympic Hotel, Coney Island Lunch,  Crystal Lunch, Blue Ridge Lunch,  Edwards Hotel,  Manhattan Hotel, and Uncle Jakes Loans. _________________________________________

Going West one block on Virginia Street between Summers and Laidley. ____________________________________

Corner of Laidley and Virginia Street.  This for many years was the Charleston Urban Railroad station. (Trolly)It also serviced the Blue & Gray bus line and then the Greyhound Line.

Same building looking across the street from City Hall.  The store that says "Hardware" was the Dan J. Popp's harness shop, which had been in business since the turn of the century. He moved near me at 610 Capitol Street, and had a full size horse replica outside.

GO TO NEXT PAGE TO COMPLETE THE TOUR.

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