At the turn of the Twentieth Century, as the skyscraper became more popular, panoramic skyline photography became the rage. Cities wanted to boast their new skylines. 1916 seems to be the peak year for these old panoramic photos because almost all are dated that year. Here are some skyline photographs from a few southern cities during 1916. I threw in the "Big Apple" for comparison. It's interesting to see how many of the old buildings exist almost 90 years later. Practically all of the old buildings in Birmingham's 1916 panoramic photos exist. By the way, the photo links are from the Library of Congress. If you have not explored the tons of city photos located there you should. Enjoy!
Birmingham, (1916 looking east) "Heaviest Corner on Earth to the right.
Birmingham (1916 Looking North, Heaviest Corner on Earth)
Mobile (A smaller version of New Orleans)
Louisville (earlier 1910)
New Orleans - Largest Southern city at the time (1919)
Jacksonville 1916
Memphis (1916)
Atlanta (strange - no skyline pics, but here's Ga Tech - I think)
Nashville
Knoxville (cool shot)
Miami (Nine years later 1925 - under construction)
Tampa
Richmond under construction
Norfolk (1919)
Charlotte
Raleigh (teens)
Columbia (cool street scene. It was ten after twelve according to the clock)
Houston 1921
Dallas (1913 - check out that awsome victorian skyscraper)
San Antonio (early - storm on the horizon)
Fort Worth - seems to rival Dallas at the time
Oklahoma City (1919) - close to the size of Dallas - lots of construction
The Big Apple - NY - for comparison (1916) - what is that awsome building w/ dome shape top???
Birmingham, (1916 looking east) "Heaviest Corner on Earth to the right.
Birmingham (1916 Looking North, Heaviest Corner on Earth)
Mobile (A smaller version of New Orleans)
Louisville (earlier 1910)
New Orleans - Largest Southern city at the time (1919)
Jacksonville 1916
Memphis (1916)
Atlanta (strange - no skyline pics, but here's Ga Tech - I think)
Nashville
Knoxville (cool shot)
Miami (Nine years later 1925 - under construction)
Tampa
Richmond under construction
Norfolk (1919)
Charlotte
Raleigh (teens)
Columbia (cool street scene. It was ten after twelve according to the clock)
Houston 1921
Dallas (1913 - check out that awsome victorian skyscraper)
San Antonio (early - storm on the horizon)
Fort Worth - seems to rival Dallas at the time
Oklahoma City (1919) - close to the size of Dallas - lots of construction
The Big Apple - NY - for comparison (1916) - what is that awsome building w/ dome shape top???