Think you know Raleigh? Think again. Longtime local and lover of all things quirky, Emily Price uncovers more than 80 of Oak City’s hidden treasures in Secret Raleigh: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure—some of which even born-and-bred Raleighites may have never heard of.
Having witnessed the city’s transformation since moving to the area at age 6, Price has spent years digging into the local lore and overlooked history hiding in plain sight—from unusual homes and urban legends to the city’s strangest attractions.
“There are so many really fun stories and neat things to discover,” says Price. “I’m a sucker for [that]—I love anything interesting, weird or unusual.” Here, she shares her faves with RM—some shocking, some personal and all uniquely Raleigh.
Bloomsbury Park | NC Archives
Bloomsbury Park
Step right up. Before Five Points was home to boutiques and restaurants, there stood a bustling theme park of roller coasters, live shows and all-out pizazz located on today’s Bloomsbury Park Drive. Built in 1912 by Carolina Power & Light, the park was like Raleigh’s version of Coney Island, and remnants of it are still scattered around Oak City.
Although short-lived before reportedly becoming a World War I drill site, the park’s legacy lives on in the handcarved—and still spinning—Pullen Park Carousel. Amusing, indeed.
William Sidney Wilson’s Electric Guitars
One of the first electric guitars was crafted in Raleigh—and that rocks. Deep in the archives at NC State—and far from the stage—lives one of the world’s earliest modern axes. Originally strung by engineering student William “Sid” Wilson in an era when patents weren’t exactly a priority, his name never reached household status. Instead, the invention spent years in a storage closet and was eventually credited to another creative. Talk about having an axe to grind.
Photo by Emily Price
Glenwood Fire Station
Home is where the hose is. Jefferson Street’s best-kept secret is one of Raleigh’s earliest neighborhood fire stations. What looks like your average home is, upon closer inspection, the city’s former Engine Company No. 4—now a private home with almost the same exterior as the one from nearly a century ago.
“I’m mad that it’s presumably been there my entire life, and I had no idea that it existed,” emphasizes Price. Locals can get fired up and admire the slice of adaptive reuse with a drive-by of the residence—sans sirens blaring.
Six Forks Road
Fork over the history. In an era when “I live off Six Forks Road” was a breeding ground for cutlery-themed cracks, Price—who grew up near the old Tara Apartments—was all in on the laughs, while short-lived side streets boasting clever names like Six Spoons and Six Knives kept the town talking.
“I thought that was fantastic,” recalls Price. “I’ve heard that joke a million times.” Eventually, the apartment complex was wiped off the map, along with the two quirky roads—but for Price, the puns live on.
Photo by Emily Price
Pullen Park
Hold onto your horses. Pullen Park was a bit, well, wild in the late 1800s, with lions, minks and bears roaming the grounds as part of the state’s premiere zoological park. Although Price was, naturally, well aware of the age-old attraction, new discoveries spanned an old alligator pit now blooming with florals; Galapagos turtles donated by a U.S. Navy captain; and the park’s prized possession, Jim the buffalo—to name but a few.
Like a small-scale Shimmer Wall, the facility’s recently unveiled art installation features a large steel acorn sculpture aglow with alternating colorful lights. Crafted from laser-cut, welded and buffed stainless steel sheets, the sculpture clocks in at ~7 feet and tips the scales at nearly 900 pounds. And not to be overlooked is the intricate leaf/acorn design engraved within the metal providing fall feels and a further ode to the City of Oaks.
“This is truly an engaging piece that adds special value and further enhances what is already a dynamic space at RUS Bus,” says GoTriangle President/CEO Dr. Brian Smith. “With its compelling design that reflects genuine connection to the Capital City, this public art is sure to enrich commuters’ and visitors’ experiences for years to come.”
Raleigh’s nuttiest acorn comes after GoTriangle’s call for artists accumulated 64 responses, with Arizona-based design firm Creative Machines’ artist Joseph O’Connell, designer Ellie Franzen and project manager Alexandra Kirschbaum chosen to take the lead on the project. More than just squirrel food, the eye-catching sculpture connects commuters while celebrating Raleigh’s ongoing growth.
Oak City Gliders have slid onto the scene—and we are here for it.
Psst… Raleighites, wanna slide in on a secret? Turns out, our city has a baseball team called the Oak City Gliders, and it’s winding up to be a home run this season.
But first, a little backstory: In 2020, father-and-son duo Reggie and Alec Allred started the Old North State League. Now boasting 15 teams spread across NC, it has quickly become one of the largest summer collegiate baseball leagues in the country. One of the teams comprising that league is, of course, the Oak City Gliders. Though, despite the league being quite the catch, ahem, the local team has gained little attention around the Triangle. We know, pitches be crazy.
“The problem was, the league had so many teams, they couldn’t keep track of them,” says team owner Phillip Lin.
In the fall of ’22, the Raleigh resident and avid baseball fan—who’s always wanted to own a team—fulfilled that “field of dreams” by purchasing the Oak City Gliders (and Fayetteville Chutes), and is now leading the team in its third season.
“I’m very excited to have a team in Raleigh,” says Lin. “I’ve been here a long time, and I think it’s overdue. I hope Raleigh will embrace us like they have embraced other teams.” Take me out to the ballgame… oakcitygliders.com
Batter Up! Here’s what we know so far about our Gliders:
The team will be led by coach Aaron Smith, who was an assistant coach last year, and GM Charles Lucas.
This year’s roster is TBD, though it’ll be composed of local and out-of-state players.
Out-of-state players will stay with area host families in-season.
Practices are slated to start in May, with the season running from mid-May through late-July.
The season will consist of 16 away and 16 home games.
Home games will take place at Optimist Park.
Team colors are red and tan.
The name Oak City Gliders combines Raleigh’s nickname, the City of Oaks, with the state’s history of being the first in flight.
