CROSSVLLE FLASHBACK: Series of W. M. Cline Real Photo postcards of Crossville's Main Street in 1948

W. M. Cline was a prolific photographer and publisher of postcards and later PR material who was based in Chattanooga.  He shot numerous postcards mainly of the Southeast US and many old photos of Crossville were published by his company.  From the 30s through the early 50s most of his work was done in black and white as real photo postcards that are printed in a darkroom on photo paper and lab processed.  Later as color postcards became popular the cards were printed.

This series of photos all appear to be taken on the same day and the photographer moved down Main Street from the top of Watertank Hill.  In many cases, you can see the same vehicles and the banner that stretched across Main Street saying "Win WIth McCord" who was Governor of Tennessee from 1944 through early 1949.

Photo from the top of Watertank Hill that starts the series. 

The series was most likely taken on a Saturday because

of all the vehicles and people in Downtown Crossville and

it was the day many went to town to shop and socialize. 

At Main Street and Lantana Road with Highway 70

coming in from the right.  The various businesses

in the area include the Broadway Services station,

Hales Grocery, the Broadway Cafe.

All the Broadway names come from the original

name of the highway through Crossville that was known

as the Broadway of America. 

The DeGolia building on the left was later replaced

by the La Frances Building.  On the right is the

Luvernia Building, home to Smith's Rexall and

Dr. Lawson's offices.

The La Frances and Luvernia buildings were both

built by Lawson and named after the Doctor's daughters.