Blue Laws

Blue laws, designed to curb behavior based upon religious observation, hamstrung both business and pleasure in the South.  Movies and sporting events, especially baseball, were limited by these ordinances that restricted activity on Sundays.

In a January 1947 front-page article, the Twin City Sentinel of Winston-Salem details answers given by North Carolina mayors in a survey exploring the effects of blue laws.  This article addressed concern that Winston-Salem was "lagging behind all other cities and towns of North Carolina" and "neglecting the rightful privileges of thos who wish to go to Sunday movies, or attend a Sunday game of baseball."  Mayor H.H. Baxter of Charlotte noted that allowing films "helped conditions by giving our young people a place to go on Sunday afternoons and evenings.  We do not have shows during church hours."  Charlotte also allowed "all kinds of outdoor athletics" in addition to baseball.

Charlotte was able to walk the line between adherence to Southern tradition by not opening businesses until after church while allowing its citizens to enjoy Sunday entertainment, demonstrating its progressive demeanor.