At the turn of the 20th century, downtown Phoenix was the center of commerce and government of the young city. North of downtown, the homes of business and civic leaders, along with farms and ranches, lined Central Avenue, informally known as "Millionaires' Row." As the city grew, houses and agricultural operations eventually yielded to subdivisions, commercial buildings, and high-rises. While midtown Phoenix changed dramatically over the years, it has retained much of its historic character and is continuously evolving to meet the needs of the community.