Christ Church

Christ Church is a wonderful and important structure in the history of Raleigh. It was consecrated in 1854 and the detached steeple was added by 1861. It was designed by notable Gothic style architect Richard Upjohn (most notable church is Trinity Church in New York City). Later additions include a sanctuary addition by Richard Upjohn's grandson Hobart (who also designed the College of Design's Brooks Hall at NCSU) and a wing for sunday school (on the right of the photo). Also, this is the church I spent my childhood attending. Back around 2000 there was a major renovation of the interior of the church, and it looks better than ever. Lastly, there is a weathercock at the top of the belltower that has been up there since 1861, and it's said that after Sherman's troops came through North Carolina, the only chicken left in Raleigh was the one on top of Christ Church.

Contact Info:
120 East Edenton Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
919.834.6259

http://www.christchurchraleigh.org/

also, a brief history of the church can be found here:
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/raleigh/chr.htm

UPDATED:

here's a comparison - old sanctuary (pre renovation) here.
new sanctuary - here.

a few more photos are here - http://flickr.com/photos/dgmckim/

if you really want an in depth explanation of the things they changed, and why, let me know.

Revisiting The Legislative Building

This is the third post of the NC Legislative Building made on this blog.

A Pedestrian Footbridge

This particular footbridge connects a parking deck to the complex of government structures including the Archdale Building.


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Raleigh Little Theatre

Raleigh Little Theatre, located at 301 Pogue Street, is a very old and well established home to some of the best stage theatre in the state. According to their website,

Begun in 1936, Raleigh Little Theatre is now one of the oldest continuously operating community theatres in the country. We offer entertainment, education and community programs year-round. RLT showcases 11 productions each year, with more than 150 performances. No other theatre in North Carolina produces as many shows.

I have seen several productions there, and I have always been impressed with their quality of work in all aspects of the show. For a complete 2008-2009 season schedule, check out the show list.

Contact info:
301 Pogue Street
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-821-3111

The Convention Center

The last time I photographed the convention center, I focused mainly on the side minus the shimmer wall. This is a view as seen from South Dawson street. For more information, The Raleigh Connoisseur is always on top of convention center news.

The Ghost Of The Capitol Building

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I got this photo while pinned down under the downpour on Friday night. I was stuck under an awning waiting for the heavy rain to subside, and decided to get a photo of the Capitol building. I had thought the Vance Monument was the only human-like object in the photo, but if you look closely at the far left bottom window there is a shadowy figure in the rain. This was a longer exposure (1.5 seconds) so any person captured by the camera should be invisible. Additionally, people are never a solid dark color, especially with so many bright fluorescent lights around. If it was a person standing still, there would at least a few colors. I stood staring at the Capitol building for a long time, and there weren't any people standing around it or walking by it. I'm not a believer in the paranormal, but have no explanation for this photo.
To see more information on freezing/blurring people in movement, please check out this article at my night photography how-to site Dark Photography School.

The Progress Energy Parking Deck

This is part of Two Progress Plaza. You can see the original Progress Energy Building in the background.

Architectural Styles of Raleigh and London

My last post entry about the Post Office reminded me of the slight similarity or architectural styles of Fayetteville Street and London's Piccadilly Circus. I first thought about it when noticing the light reflections on the Court House. It's interesting that both buildings pictured have blue reflections on the windows. To be sure, the Fayetteville Street Mall is quite a ways off from matching the beauty and environment of Piccadilly.

The official Raleigh City Government web site says that

The new federal courthouse and post office with its identical front and back, was opened at the corner of Fayetteville and Martin in 1878 at a whopping cost of $400,000.

Considering the time frame that this building was constructed, it isn't much of a surprise that it shares many architectural characteristics with a building in Piccadilly, shown below.

The Federal Building and Court House had many buildings constructed around the same time frame as those in Piccadilly. There was talk of closing down the Federal Building (which includes the Post Office and Bankruptcy Court), until the plans came to revitalize the Fayetteville Street Mall.
If you are interested in seeing photos of London at night, please check out my other site, Goodnight, London!.

The North Carolina Legislative Building

The North Carolina state government web site says that

The North Carolina General Assembly met in the State Capitol from 1840 until the State Legislative Building was completed in January 1963. The home of the North Carolina General Assembly is unique in that it is devoted solely to the legislative branch of the state government. The Legislative Building contains facilities necessary for the efficient functioning of the General Assembly. The building includes not only Senate and House Chambers, but also committee rooms, offices for members, and space for clerical personnel. Throughout, provisions are made for easy access and observation of legislative procedures by the interested visitor.

Wake County Court House

Not too long ago I posted a photo with a view of the court house facing Fayetteville St. Here is a more magnified view of the facade.

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St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church

A few notes from their web site:

• The congregation which formed St. Paul's Church was originally the slave membership of Edenton Street United Methodist Church.
• In 1853, White Methodists bought the Old Christ Episcopal Church, where the Blacks had been worshipping since 1846. The congregation worshipped under other names, but it was in 1848 that "St. Paul Church" was formally established
• In 1854, the Black membership moved the old church to the corner of Harrington and Edenton Streets
• The Black congregation remained under the guidance of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the South, until Emancipation
• In 1865, the membership severed its ties with Edenton Street Methodist Church and joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church Conference, a Black denomination founded in 1787 by Richard Allen and organized in 1816
• The birth of the current structure was the result of a long building campaign which began in 1884. The church formally opened in 1901
• The record bears that St. Paul was built by the "first independent Black congregation" formed in Raleigh. It is the oldest Black church in Wake County, North Carolina

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The Garland H. Jones Building, Revisited

This building has been in the news a bit lately. It has, at least, in the local blogging scene. The Raleigh Connoiseur, New Raleigh, among others all ran interesting pieces discussing the approaching destruction of this unique and historic building.
Have you ever had a case of regret after insulting someone or something and then something bad happened to the object of your ridicule? That's a nice analogy to my current feeling. During my first post of this building I kept a somewhat neutral tone. However, during a subsequent post about the Clarion Building, I made a jab at the Garland H. Jones building by saying it was easily recognizable because it was so ugly. However, I also mentioned that

It is a unique piece of downtown history and isn't plain and boring. I would much rather have an ugly but _interesting_ building. It has character and I do agree that it would be a shame if it were destroyed.

as a comment in response to RaleighBob's statement about its possible demise. I'm sad to say that although the new proposed building isn't ugly, it certainly isn't inspiring either.
I liken it to a comparison of the apartment I lived in for a while in Asheville, and the duplex I live in now. The apartment was brand new, had nice looking appliances, a gas fireplace--but was generic and dull. Where I live now is a bit more run down (was built in the 1930's), has dated styling, and kind of quirky (sometimes must stomp on the hallway floor for the light to come on). Given the choice between the two, I'd pick my current residence any day. I feel the same about the Garland H. Jones building. Knocking down this building just doesn't make sense to me.

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RBC Plaza Construction

Sometimes words just aren't necessary. More RBC construction pics to come soon.

The Odd Fellows Building

The Odd Fellows building, or as it says on the column, Commerce Building. It's 11 stories and was built in 1923 for the Grand Lodge of the IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows). This building is owned by Empire Properties. Given the fact that the owner of Empire Properties is a member of the Preservation North Carolina Board of Advisors, it is no surprise that

Hatem (Empire Properites) has focused not on erecting shiny new skyscrapers that are meant to impress, but instead has been steadily refurbishing brick and mortar buildings with character that have been central to Raleigh's past.

The IOOF website says that

In 17th century England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization were called "Odd Fellows". Odd Fellows are also known as "The Three Link Fraternity" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth.

I can't find too much information on the history of the IOOF in Raleigh. There are 9 chapters left in the US, with the only one in the south east being in Florida.

For more information about other buildings owned by Greg Hatem, check out the very interesting Raleigh Chronicle article from last May.

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Progress Energy 1 & 2

I read about Raleigh's Coverage by Google's street maps over at New Raleigh, and probably did what every other Raleigh resident did and I typed in my own address. It was awesome, to say the least. I can say that this feature is especially exciting for this blog.
The first thing a friend of mine (who also used to be a room mate) did was retrace steps from our house to class. I did the same thing, and was just absolutely blown away. The idea of an experience on the computer that is this close to real life is a pretty intense one.
I think the idea of a Raleigh street view with a Grand Theft Auto flavor is a bit unnerving. If you mix Raleigh street view and a Tony Hawk Skateboarding franchise, then you've got a hit.

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North Carolina Medical Society

It's an impressive looking building, right across from the governor's mansion.

According to the History of the NCMS,

The North Carolina Medical Society first met in 1799. Through a charter from the North Carolina legislature, the Medical Society was formed as an incorporated body with the right to sue and be sued and the right to hold any property it may acquire. On
April 16, 1800, the North Carolina Medical Society met to elect its officers.
James Webb, MD (1774-1855), of Hillsborough, was a leading merchant, philanthropist, and physician in Orange County. Later in his career in 1822, Webb took the groundbreaking step of providing free smallpox vaccinations, and he also provided free care to poor white and black patients.
The leadership at the second meeting of the Medical Society developed a Board of Censors to determine who was fit to practice medicine, a step that laid the groundwork for the formation of the Board of Medical Examiners in 1859. North Carolina was the first state in the Union to enact such laws.
Annual meetings of the Society were held from 1799-1804. In 1804, members resolved to hold the next meeting in Chapel Hill on July 5, 1805; however, no such gathering is recorded thereafter until the formation of the Medical Society of the State of North Carolina in 1849.

222 N Person St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 828-0046

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Convention Center Construction

Rather than paste in quotes from other sources about the Raleigh Convention Center (I haven't quite been following the developments too closely), I will just advise you to trek over to The Raleigh Connoisseur for more information. He's been covering it for almost a year now. I will say that it is shaping up to look very much like airports and other towers I made with Legos as a kid. The giant glass part looks just like the inverted 3 x 4 x 5 windshield that was popular in many Lego sets. The rooftop above it looks exactly like a white 6 x 10 plate, especially with the writing on the insulation. This isn't an insult, far from it. I find it fascinating, as well as inspiring.

The Archdale Building

This is another one of those buildings that I know very little about but respect highly. I know that it houses state government departments/agencies/etc. It is also the first building I discovered/photographed not long after I moved here from the western part of the state. I'm not sure why I love it so much.
Can anyone clue me in on its history, current usage, trivia, etc.?

The Clarion Building

My first few experiences with photography downtown involved the Clarion Building. In fact, the third post to this blog included a picture I took in 2004 from the top of the Clarion Hotel when the Tower Lounge and Restaurant was in the process of being built/formed. I also had another post where the top of the Clarion Tower looked like a UFO because the middle part was obscured by trees.
I'm not sure how some in the local architectural community in general feel about this building, but I view it as a landmark and am very proud to have it in my home town. It's something that is instantly recognizable, and not because it is ugly (like the Garland H. Jones building is). I have plans for future blog posts involving this particular building.

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Leonard Medical School

According to Shaw University,

Leonard opened in 1882 as the nation’s first 4-year medical school and was the first medical school devoted to training African Americans in the South. Approximately 400 doctors graduated from Leonard bringing medical care to areas across North Carolina and the world that had a desperate need for doctors. In addition to the medical school, Shaw opened a hospital in 1911 and gave the African American community in and around Raleigh access to precious medical care that was hard for poorer citizens to find otherwise.

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The West Morgan St. Bridge

Located very near West Morgan St. and S. Glenwood Ave.

Garland H. Jones Building

My only experience with this building is paying my vehicle taxes. If only I had to pay what my vehicle was actually worth rather than the inaccurate blue book value, I would be a happy man. Instead, I pay a percentage of a value that I could never see for the car I drive.
Regardless, I do sleep better knowing that the taxes I pay locally have a much better chance of actually doing something meaningful as opposed to the taxes I pay to a bloated, grossly mismanaged, and criminally incompetent federal government.
According to the Wake County official web site, this building houses certain Human Services department programs, the Register of Deeds and the Revenue Department. The Garland H. Jones building is located at 300 S. Salisbury St.

Raleigh Police Department

The Emerging RBC Plaza (In the Rain)

The quality of this pic is pretty low because the rain was shifting in all directions (including on my lens!) so I didn't want to stick around for a long exposure.

According to godowntownraleigh.com,

In addition to bringing RBC Centura’s corporate headquarters to downtown Raleigh, the tower will offer additional office space for lease, as well as retail space and for-sale residential condominiums. It is expected to be completed in late 2008.

and ...

Standing 540 feet tall, RBC Plaza will be the tallest building in downtown Raleigh and will encompass more than 730,000 gross square feet of space, including office and retail space, parking and 11 stories of residential condominiums.

Soggy Construction Site

Looking down on East Martin Street.

Rain on Fayetteville St.

The area around Fayetteville St., near the Wachovia Building.

Heck-Andrews House

Located on Blount St., this was among the first grand houses to be built in the area after the Civil War.

According to the National Park Service,

With the purchase of the one-acre lot in Raleigh, the capital city became the Hecks' permanent home. On July 22, 1869, Raleigh builders Wilson and Waddell were contracted to erect "a three story house, with tower, slate and french roof, all materials to be of the very best, and to be put up in the very best manner." The building's architect was G. S. H. Appleget, who also designed the Andrews-Duncan house just across North Street, and Shaw University's Estey Hall.

The house is also marked by a historic sign which marks the life of one of the residents, Fannie E.S. Heck. According to it, she was a social activist, writer, and led the Baptist Woman's Missionary Union after 1892. She was also a benefactor of Meredith College.

G. Milton Small Building

According to the National Park Service, the dean of the College of Design at North Carolina State College was instrumental in recruiting several Modernist architects to the area. One of these modernist architects was G. Milton Small, who arrived in the area around the same time as the founding of the School of Design at North Carolina State College in 1948.

From the NPS web site:

Small's own office building, completed in 1966, summarizes key elements of his work over the previous 20 years. To make the best use of a tiny site, the occupied space of the building is raised a story on steel columns, allowing for parking and a fountain-lined entrance walkway underneath.

The G. Milton Small Building is designated as a Raleigh Historic Landmark.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

On the corner of Brooks And Clark Ave.

Some information from their official web site states that:

In 1953 the present church site at Brooks and Clark was purchased from North Carolina State College. To accommodate a membership that had outgrown the original building, plans for construction of an educational building and student center were begun. The first service in the newly completed building was on December 2, 1956.

Wake Co. Emergency Services Building

The Sheraton Hotel

I figured since I took so many pictures from the Sheraton that I should at least include one of the hotel itself.

View from the Sheraton

The area around the court house and jail as seen from the Sheraton.

200 West Morgan at McDowell

View of the Hamlin Drug Store

One of the N&O buildings

The Exploris building

A most beautiful complex. It's like the jellyfish of the downtown architecture world. If it were under the sea.

View of the city from Blount St.

Very near Moore Square Station.

Looking up at the Capitol Buillding

The Wachovia Building

One of the first things you notice in Raleigh, it still inspires awe.

Nothing but buildings

Always new construction

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The museum of history. Duh.

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Looking up towards the Capitol.

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