13 Photos That Show What Life Was Like In North Carolina In The 1940s
The 1940s brought a world of ever-changing life circumstances to the Tar Heel State. On the heels of the Great Depression, the first half of the decade first brought great hope for a lifestyle changing for the better after the angst and despair brought on during the depression. But soon, the lives of many North Carolinians would change again after the U.S. entered WWII in 1941. Below are some candid shots reminiscent of life in North Carolina in the first half of the 1940s.
1. A mule auction on Main Street in Creedmoor (Granville County).
It was an era of simple wedding services, with ceremonies often performed in family members' homes or in the office of the Justice of the Peace. This image was taken in May of 1940.
3. Some of the best images from the past are simple portraits that breathe life into the mystery of a bygone era.
The notes accompanying this shot indicate this man lived near Cedar Grove (Orange County), and his name was Mr. H.R. Wilson. The image was captured in May, 1940.
4. A gathering of local men and boys on the front porch of the general store in Farrington (Chatham County).
Four years before this photo was taken, in 1936, the Stem High School basketball team played and defeated the UNC at Chapel Hill's men's basketball team in an impromptu game that was struck up after a UNC scheduled opponent (Davidson) was unable to show up due to a snowstorm. By mere coincidence, the recent high school state champs had traveled as a team to watch the game that didn't happen. Instead, an pop-up game occurred between the high school team and UNC — and the rest is history!
7. A group of local men gather on the front lawn of the Yancey County Courthouse for a game of cards.
The man who established the mill (and the town) is known to have made off in the middle of the night with a considerable amount of cash. The mill continued to operate into the 1980s. This photo was taken in May of 1940.
Wow. Things certainly have changed in the last seven decades! Do you have any special recollections from the 1940s or stories that were passed down to you from another generation in your family? We’d love to hear them!
Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
