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.
The secret sauce to a great city could rest in the Power of 10.
Think big. Think 10. Raleigh’s future isn’t just about streetscapes and skyscrapers—it’s about crafting places people actually want to be. And that doesn’t just happen. Enter the “Power of 10,” a simple yet transformative concept: Every city needs at least 10 destinations, and each destination needs at least 10 things to do.
Originated by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS), the framework reveals why cities like New York and Atlanta lure people in—and keep them coming back. Such is the philosophy behind Raleigh’s 2009 Comprehensive Plan, which directed 60% to 70% of new growth to eight growth centers focused along key urban and transit arteries like the Beltline and 540—think Midtown, West Raleigh and Village District—plus 15 multimodal corridors, extending the Power of 10 principle to shape a vibrant and connected city.
As former COR Chief Planning Officer and current City Council Member Mitchell Silver puts it: “If I come Downtown—as a senior couple, a single, a family—what are the options? You have restaurants—then what do you do? Places like New York… there’s so much to do, probably like a power of 100. That’s what makes those places exciting—people come back again and again. That’s the goal.”
Building on that foundation, new potential pockets now emerge as the Comprehensive Plan 2030 gears up to shape the city’s next chapter through 2050.
Placemaking in Action
As aspirational as it is practical, Raleigh’s growth framework already reflects this principle. The point isn’t just garden variety shopping, dining or strolling, notes Silver. The real magic is layering elements—rest, play, art, music, food, history, connection—so people linger, explore and return.
As such, applying the Power of 10 isn’t just theoretical. Standalone attractions like museums or parks serve as a great draw, but deliver “the power of two, maybe three, at best,” says Silver. “People come, look, maybe hit up the gift shop—and leave. The real challenge: What can you build around the museum or park?” The telltale sign—are there people there? And do they stay there?
He nods to Nash Square—lonely trees, empty walkways and angled parking that could morph into a vibrant hub where people actually want to linger. Even the strongest attractors can stumble without a complementary cast. Take Wilson’s Whirligig Park—a momentary magnet that, on its own, risks being forgettable, explains Silver. But with the upcoming Carolina sports and entertainment stadium and planned ~50-acre live-work-play mixed-use project, that fleeting draw evolves into a full, thriving ecosystem.
Looking to 2050
Given Raleigh’s demographic shift, the urgency for this approach grows sharper. The city is young: ~60% under age 40, and ~80% under 55. Yet, Silver warns, “the [older] minority is trying to drive planning decisions. We need young people to speak up.” Future growth hinges on creating these multidimensional hubs—places where people don’t just pass through but stay, engage and thrive.
Layer on a looming constraint: Raleigh is projected to run out of developable land within 20 years. Yet, the simple reality remains—people are coming. The city’s population boomeranged ~50%, adding roughly 200K residents in the last 20 years. “I called it Mayberry the Metro,” says Silver of the now more than 65 people relocating to Wake County every day. So it’s not a question of if—but how we manage it.
By honing in on our people-centered placemaking pockets—through public spaces, new mixed-use developments and urban design innovations—Raleigh can scale up its Power of 10. And in doing so—from blueprint to buzzworthy—transform a city of streets into a city of destinations.
Urban Growth Centers – 2009 Comprehensive Plan
Brier Creek
Crabtree
Downtown/Central Business District
Midtown/North Hills
New Bern/WakeMed
NE/Triangle Town Center
Village District/University area
West Raleigh
Potential Pockets for Urban Growth: 2030–2050
Capital Boulevard
City Market
City Plaza
Downtown South
Moore Square
Triangle Town Center (reimagined)
WakeMed Corridor (BRT)
Warehouse District
Emerged Naturally – Raleigh Iron Works
Raleigh Iron Works
A game changer for East Raleigh—and key connector between Downtown and Midtown—Raleigh Iron Works is a work-stay-play hub on the former Peden Steel site. Breaking ground in fall 2021, Phase One boasts 200+ apartments, buzzy retail, and ambitious public art and maker/pop-up programming, anchored by standout F&B spots from Brodeto and Little Rey to St. Pierre and Ponysaurus Brewing—and, yes, that trademark slide bringing a playful touch that’s core Raleigh.
North Hills wants to grow again—but this time up, not out. In late August, Kane Realty submitted a rezoning request to City Council to allow taller buildings on five parcels in the Main and Lassiter districts. The proposed project wouldn’t increase how much can be built, but would make room for more open public space, pedestrian-friendly amenities, ground-floor activation and a more varied skyline.
“We’re changing the shape of what we’re zoning, not the scale,” emphasizes Kane Director of Development Kallie O’Haren Walker. Think of it like a glob of Play-Doh: You can form it tall and skinny or short and wide, but you’re still working with the same overall amount of Play-Doh.
The new request comes ~four years after Kane submitted a controversial rezoning in 2021 seeking approval for a 30-story tower at the intersection of Six Forks Road and I-440. That plan was ultimately withdrawn in 2023 amid City Council opposition and community pushback.
This time, Kane hopes a key distinction will shift the conversation: They’re not asking for more density or square footage (2,500 residential units and ~3M square feet are allowed)—just flexibility to reimagine how that same volume is shaped.
“Twenty-five years ago, we embarked on a mission to create a district in our city where people want to gather, everyday needs can be met, special occasions can be celebrated—where people can live, work, play and thrive,” recalls Kane Realty founder John Kane. “The last premier parcels in Raleigh’s Midtown deserve the best we can create with the appropriate balance of height, density and beautifully landscaped ground-level spaces.”
While specifics are still in flux, Walker envisions public gathering areas, ground-floor retail and restaurants, and opportunities for outdoor dining and activation. The additional height would also make space for outdoor amenities within the buildings themselves.
Still, this is a long game. “We have no imminent plans to start these projects,” she maintains. “This is [about] long-term planning and future flexibility—not immediate change.” With another community meeting set for sometime this fall, one thing is certain: North Hills is evolving—but exactly how it will take shape remains to be seen.
Current allowable height
5 Big Questions
Where will you park? Several of the proposed buildings would rid ground-level parking, but Walker assures each site will feature integrated decks—with the possibility of below-ground parking at the Lassiter District to boot. Phase 1 of Kane’s North Hills expansion added ~1,000 spaces, with the potential for a couple hundred more in this next phase.
What about the traffic? Traffic concerns are clearly fueling much of the conversation—especially in light of City Council’s recent decision to scrap the Six Forks Road widening project. But Kane maintains that mixed-use destinations actually reduce vehicular traffic coming into the development: When daily needs and attractions are clustered, people drive less and bike or walk more—easing congestion, lowering emissions and boosting overall mobility. In addition, Kane is also proposing adding a dedicated right turn lane from Lassiter Mill Road onto Six Forks.
Pedestrians and bike plans? Improved pedestrian and bike connectivity is another key promise Kane tied to the rezoning request, including a proposed multiuse path from Lassiter Mill down to Six Forks in the direction of I-440—serving a safer, more accessible route.
Why go tall instead? While some nearby residents have expressed frustration—noting they “don’t want to look at just another big building”—Kane is already entitled to build under current zoning and density limits. In other words, buildings will go up either way—but, per Kane, taller buildings offer more flexibility to incorporate green features, both at the ground-level and on rooftops.
How will the public benefit? Kane’s team is working with the city to identify priorities that emerged during the last rezoning. “We want to have a lot of opportunities throughout this process to talk with city staff, council and the community as a whole to make sure the project can deliver meaningful public benefits,” says Walker. Among the possibilities: an upgrade to Fire Station 9 along Rowan Street.
What will happen to existing businesses? Current businesses on the affected sites—Wells Fargo, North State Bank, Exxon and Walgreens—will be invited to stay, with construction likely to start on vacant parcels first.
The Midtown mixed-use destination is set to file a new rezoning request.
North Hills wants to grow again—but this time, the aim is to go up rather than out. The booming Midtown development is slated to request rezoning updates for five parcels in the North Hills Main and Lassiter Districts in August, with the plan to keep the allowable density the same while increasing heights to 12, 20 and 37 stories (see map)—plus enable more open public space, pedestrian amenities, ground-floor activation and a varied skyline.
“North Hills has evolved into a world-class mixed-use destination… and activation is everywhere,” maintains Barry Long, principal and president of Urban Design Associates, the design firm supporting North Hills’ exploration of best uses for the remaining developable sites. “A few auto-oriented sites, such as the gas station at the corner of Lassiter and Six Forks, remain at the perimeter. The North Hills team is pursuing a zoning modification to transform these outdated lots into meaningful places.”
The request comes ~four years after they submitted a controversial rezoning in 2021 asking for a 30-story tower at the intersection of Six Forks Road and I-440—which was later withdrawn in 2023 upon opposition from City Council and community pushback.
“The last premier parcels in Raleigh’s Midtown deserve the best we can create with the appropriate balance of height, density and beautifully landscaped ground level spaces.” —John Kane
Now, North Hills tells Raleigh Magazine in a sit-down interview they’re taking a different approach, pulling inspo from how the community interacts with the open public spaces across the development—from Beach Music to Midtown Park to the new Main District Expansion spaces. To wit, Kane Realty is holding an Open House July 30 at Church of the Apostles from 5–7pm to gain feedback from the public to shape the new rezoning application and appease some previous concerns.
The North Hills team is already working with the city to identify some of those community needs and priorities. “We want to have a lot of opportunities throughout this process to talk with city staff, council and the community as a whole to make sure the project can deliver meaningful public benefits,” says Kane Director of Development Kallie O’Haren Walker—with one possibility potentially including the upgraded Fire Station 9 along Rowan Street conditioned in the first rezoning.
But the key difference in the new proposal, while asking for a height increase, is not asking for increased density or square footage over what is currently allowed (2,500 residential units and 3 million total square feet). “We’re changing the shape of what we’re zoning, not the scale,” maintains Walker.
North Hills Current Allowable Density
While specific plans are in flux, Walker imagines the likes of public gathering areas, ground-floor retail and restaurants, with opportunities for outdoor activation and dining—plus improved pedestrian and bike connectivity. Walker also notes the North Hills team is very aware of traffic concerns in the area and is proactively looking into solutions for vehicular travel as well.
As such, the Lassiter and Six Forks sites will feature integrated parking decks, with the potential addition of below-ground parking, says Walker. The increased heights will also enable outdoor amenity spaces within the buildings themselves.
All this said, these projects are at least five, 10, 15 years down the road. “We want to acknowledge that some of the properties included in the rezoning case are home to active businesses,” notes Walker. “We have no imminent plans to start these projects—this is a long-term planning process and it’s about future flexibility, not immediate changes or impacts to those businesses.” With another community meeting set for sometime this fall, it’s only a matter of time until we see how North Hills will shape up—literally.
What’s Going Where:
Six Forks & Lassiter site: Exxon gas station and tire shop (4369 Six Forks Road), currently zoned for 12 stories, asking for 40 stories (conditioned at 37)
Six Forks site: North State Bank lot (4270 The Circle at North Hills St.), currently zoned for 12 stories, asking for 40 stories (conditioned at 37)
Wells Fargo Bank lot (4220 Lassiter Mill Road) – currently zoned for 12 stories, asking for 40 stories (conditioned at 37)
Lassiter District site: Walgreens strip (4441 Six Forks Road), currently zoned for 5 stories, asking for 12 stories
Main District expansion phase 2: Empty parcel on Lassiter Mill (next to the Beltline), currently zoned for 12 stories, asking for 20 stories
Six Forks at a standstill? The long-planned expansion of one of Raleigh’s most heavily trafficked thoroughfares just hit a massive roadblock with the projected spend soaring from $56.1M to $93.5M, driven by rising construction costs and a thriving real estate market. Originally part of the city’s 2017 $206.7 million transportation bond, that hefty price tag pushes the project way over the originally allocated $60M budget.
“We could reallocate the funds to another transportation project,” says At-Large Raleigh City Councilor Jonathan Melton, “but typically, in the past, we’ve used the remaining funds to advance the project and get it ‘shovel ready.’ Then we identify options for construction. I’m willing to consider all options to make sure this project is delivered to the community; they’ve been waiting a long time.” Next month, city staff will deliver next steps to City Council. Stay tuned on whether the city will move forward or hit the brakes.
