Raleigh
Raleigh is one of the most talked-about urban centers in the Country. With its thriving
economy, affordable, but stable housing market, gorgeous parks, and bustling social scene,
this is a true destination city.
The City of Oaks
Newcomers often remark that they are shocked by the number of trees in Raleigh. This rich
greenery gives you get the sense, throughout the City, that you're always on the verge of
the country.
Healthy Growth
Raleigh has always seen steady growth, but in the past decade, the population boomed with
the growth of Research Triangle Park's high tech and pharmaceutical industries.
| Census Year |
Population |
| 1800 |
699 |
| 1900 |
13,643 |
| 1940 |
46,879 |
| 1960 |
93,931 |
| 1980 |
150,255 |
| 1990 |
212,092 |
| 2000 |
276,093 |
| 2000 (estimate) |
380,178 |
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Downtown
Raleigh's city center is going through dramatic revitalization and development. This area
is exploding with the construction of high-rise condominiums and upscale clubs.
The demarcation from residential to urban is "Glenwood South" at the corner
of Glenwood and Peace. Here, the streets are dotted with upscale martini bars, restaurants
and galleries.
City Market is the oldest remaining part of historic downtown.
Fayetteville Street Mall
Previously a pedestrian mall, Raleigh's "Main Street," Fayetteville Street reopened to traffic
in 2008, and joined the National Registry of Historic Places.
Downtown Raleigh boasts Smithsonian-caliber museums. Don’t miss the
NC Museum of History and
the NC Museum of Natural
Science.
Sports
Carolina Hurricanes
Raleigh is home to this 2006 World champ hockey team.
Wake County Motor Speedway
if you feel the "need for speed."
The Arts
The North Carolina Museum of Art
has a collection spanning more than 5,000 years, including Egyptian, African,
renaissance and modern work.
Progress Energy Center
for the Performing Arts is a multi-building complex housing the gamut
of performances.
Artspace is a
private, non-profit educational facility and gallery dedicated to "inspiring creative energy."
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Raves
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Raleigh remains one of the true Boom towns. In 2008, Raleigh rocked
dozens of “best of� lists including:
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History
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Raleigh was founded in 1792, on 1,000 acres sold by local Revolutionary War Colonel
Joel Lane to Wake County for $1378 British pounds ($2,756). Named after Sir Walter
Raleigh, the explorer who founded the first "New World" British Colony on the
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Andrew Johnson
17th President
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Outer
Banks, Raleigh was one of only three US Capitals that was planned on paper before
being built specifically to be a capital. The original founders of the city were
formed by the streets North, South, East and West.
In 1808, The Nation's 17th president, Andrew Johnson, was born at Casso's Inn in Raleigh.
In 1831, the first State Capital building was destroyed by fire. The current building
was completed in 1840.
In 1853, North Carolina's first State Fair was held near Raleigh. The fair has been
held at its present site-on Hillsboro Street, since 1928.
The City's first College, Peace College, was established in 1958.
When the Civil War ended in 1865, many freed slaves migrated from rural NC to Raleigh.
That same year, Shaw University, the South's first African-American College, began
teaching classes.
North Carolina State University (then known as the North Carolina College of
Agriculture and Mechanic Arts) was founded as a land-grant college in 1887.
As a result of the great depression, six Raleigh banks closed. The City and State
and Federal Government were instrumental in creating hundreds of jobs that stabilized
the area. From 1932-1943, these public works programs funded Raleigh Memorial
Auditorium, the NC Symphony, Umstead Park, and RDU Airport.
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Landmarks
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Shaw University's Estey Hall, 1873. The first building in the US
constructed for the education of African American women. link
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State Capital, 1840. A National Historic Landmark, the Capital
is of the finest and best-preserved examples of Greek Revival
architecture. Photo circa 1861. |
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Big Acorn, sculpture by John Watkins, is lowered at the dawn of each
new year. Located in Moore square.
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Joel Lane House, 1770, home of the "father" of Raleigh. Now a museum
with M-S guided tours. link |
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Mordecai House, 1785, the oldest Raleigh home on its original foundation.
Now a museum, the grounds include President Andrew Johnson's birthplace.
link
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Raleigh Water Tower, 1887, heralded the dawn of municipal water service.
link
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NC State Memorial Bell Tower, 1937, erected to memorialize the 33
alumni killed in WWI.
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NC Governors Mansion, 1891. Although extensively updated in the
inside, the exterior has been virtually unaltered since its
completion. 201 Blount Street.link |
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