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Fascinating Historical Photos of Raleigh, NC from the 1970s

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As the 1970s dawned, residents in Raleigh became more and more concerned about urban sprawl. While the city’s population was rapidly growing and several development projects were being proposed, community organizations felt that business interests heavily influenced municipal offices. Instead of choosing him from the electoral list, the city council altered the election procedure to elect the mayor directly. Instead of being based on at-large representation, most city council seats were allocated to districts. The reforms took effect for the first time in the 1973 elections. Clarence Lightner, a member of Raleigh’s City Council, defeated Raleigh Merchant Bureau Executive Director G. Wesley Williams for Raleigh’s first black mayor, the first black mayor of a major Southern city with the majority white population.

Raleigh City and Wake County school merged in 1976 to become Wake County Public Schools, now the most extensive school system in the state and 19th largest in the country. The I-440 beltline was built during the 1970s and 1980s, which eases traffic congestion and provides access to most major city roads. In 1977, the first Raleigh Convention Center (replaced in 2008) and the Fayetteville Street Mall opened. As a result, Fayetteville Street became a pedestrian-only street to help the downtown area, but the plan failed, and business declined for years. The main thoroughfare of Raleigh’s downtown was reopened in 2007 as Fayetteville Street.

#1 100 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, looking south, 1970s

100 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, looking south, 1970s

15 Points
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#2 310 North Blount Street, Hawkins-Hartness House, Raleigh, 1970s

310 North Blount Street, Hawkins-Hartness House, Raleigh, 1970s

11 Points
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#3 East side of the 400 block of Davie Street, Raleigh, 1970s

East side of the 400 block of Davie Street, Raleigh, 1970s

10 Points
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#5 West side of the 200 block of Fayetteville Street in Raleigh. Briggs Hardware Building is seen among others, 1970s

West side of the 200 block of Fayetteville Street in Raleigh. Briggs Hardware Building is seen among others, 1970s

10 Points
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#7 333 Fayetteville Street, BB&T Building, Raleigh, 1970s

333 Fayetteville Street, BB&T Building, Raleigh, 1970s

9 Points
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#8 View from Raleigh Beltline overpass looking south down Wake Forest Road toward Holly Park Shopping Center, 1970s

View from Raleigh Beltline overpass looking south down Wake Forest Road toward Holly Park Shopping Center, 1970s

9 Points
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#10 Kwik Pik convenience store on Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Kwik Pik convenience store on Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, 1970s

8 Points
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#11 Parking lot on the 400 block of South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, 1970s

Parking lot on the 400 block of South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, 1970s

8 Points
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#12 400 block of Wilmington Street looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

400 block of Wilmington Street looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

7 Points
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#13 100 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, looking south, 1970s

100 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, looking south, 1970s

7 Points
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#14 Former Woolworth’s storefront, 200 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

Former Woolworth's storefront, 200 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

7 Points
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#17 2600 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

2600 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

7 Points
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#18 Entrance to Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh, 1970s

Entrance to Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh, 1970s

6 Points
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#19 Eastern side of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium from Wilmington Street, 1970s

Eastern side of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium from Wilmington Street, 1970s

6 Points
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#20 Murray Tire Company on the southeastern corner of Wilmington and Davie Streets, Raleigh, 1970s

Murray Tire Company on the southeastern corner of Wilmington and Davie Streets, Raleigh, 1970s

6 Points
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#21 East side of the 200 block of Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, 1970s

East side of the 200 block of Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, 1970s

6 Points
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#22 Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

6 Points
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#23 Residence at 2405 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

Residence at 2405 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

5 Points
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#24 Davie Street looking east at its intersection with Wilmington Street, Raleigh, 1970s

Davie Street looking east at its intersection with Wilmington Street, Raleigh, 1970s

5 Points
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#25 Bank of North Carolina and Johnson’s Jewelers at the corner of Fayetteville and Martin Streets, Raleigh, 1970s

Bank of North Carolina and Johnson's Jewelers at the corner of Fayetteville and Martin Streets, Raleigh, 1970s

5 Points
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#26 First Union National Bank, corner of Martin and Fayetteville Streets, 1970s

First Union National Bank, corner of Martin and Fayetteville Streets, 1970s

5 Points
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#27 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) Beltline overpass, Raleigh, 1970s

Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) Beltline overpass, Raleigh, 1970s

5 Points
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#28 515 North Blount Street, Lewis-Smith House, Raleigh, 1970s

515 North Blount Street, Lewis-Smith House, Raleigh, 1970s

4 Points
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#30 Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

4 Points
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#31 Fox Ridge Manor Apartments on Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Fox Ridge Manor Apartments on Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#32 Construction on 2400 block of Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

Construction on 2400 block of Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#33 Construction on 2400 block of Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

Construction on 2400 block of Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#34 Residences at 2425 and 2501 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

Residences at 2425 and 2501 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#37 Parking lot on the 400 block of South Wilmington Street, 1970s

Parking lot on the 400 block of South Wilmington Street, 1970s

3 Points
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#38 Dawson Street looking south near its intersection with Hargett Street, Raleigh, 1970s

Dawson Street looking south near its intersection with Hargett Street, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#39 Planters National Bank at Davie and Fayetteville, Raleigh, 1970s

Planters National Bank at Davie and Fayetteville, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#41 Salisbury and Jones Streets, State Personnel Building, 1970s

Salisbury and Jones Streets, State Personnel Building, 1970s

3 Points
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#42 Jones Street, Raleigh near intersection with Salisbury Street. Education building is seen center of frame, 1970s

Jones Street, Raleigh near intersection with Salisbury Street. Education building is seen center of frame, 1970s

3 Points
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#43 Jones Street, Raleigh, looking south toward Agriculture Building, Education Building is also seen on far righ, 1970s

Jones Street, Raleigh, looking south toward Agriculture Building, Education Building is also seen on far righ, 1970s

3 Points
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#44 State Personnel Office, 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, 1970s

State Personnel Office, 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#47 Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

3 Points
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#48 2800 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

2800 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#49 King’s Plaza Shopping Center, 3151 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) , Raleigh, 1970s

King's Plaza Shopping Center, 3151 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) , Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#50 Building Supply, 2610 Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Building Supply, 2610 Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#51 Unidentified, possibly Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Unidentified, possibly Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#52 Carolina Builder’s Supply, 3000 Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Carolina Builder's Supply, 3000 Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#53 Intersection of Navaho and Executive Drive, Raleigh, 1970s

Intersection of Navaho and Executive Drive, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
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#54 Fox Ridge Manor Apartments on Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Fox Ridge Manor Apartments on Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#58 First Citizen’s Bank and Trust, 300 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

First Citizen's Bank and Trust, 300 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#59 515 North Blount Street, Lewis-Smith House, Raleigh, 1970s

515 North Blount Street, Lewis-Smith House, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#60 Entrance to Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh, 1970s

Entrance to Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#64 North Carolina Archives and History Building, Raleigh, 1970s

North Carolina Archives and History Building, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#65 Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

2 Points
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#66 Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

2 Points
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#67 3151 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

3151 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#69 2501 Ratchford Drive, Amburn Pontiac, Raleigh, 1970s

2501 Ratchford Drive, Amburn Pontiac, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#70 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) Beltline overpass, Raleigh, 1970s

Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) Beltline overpass, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#72 Unidentified, possibly view from Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, 1970s

Unidentified, possibly view from Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#73 View from Raleigh Beltline overpass looking south down Wake Forest Road toward Holly Park Shopping Center, 1970s

View from Raleigh Beltline overpass looking south down Wake Forest Road toward Holly Park Shopping Center, 1970s

2 Points
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#74 Holly Park Shopping Center, 3088 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Holly Park Shopping Center, 3088 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#75 Holly Park Shopping Center, 3088 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Holly Park Shopping Center, 3088 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
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#79 Former Buddy Dale Hat Shop, 213 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

Former Buddy Dale Hat Shop, 213 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#82 100 Fayetteville Street looking west through the block to Salisbury Street, 1970s

100 Fayetteville Street looking west through the block to Salisbury Street, 1970s

1 Point
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#83 119 Fayetteville Street storefront, Raleigh, 1970s

119 Fayetteville Street storefront, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#84 State Personnel Office, 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, 1970s

State Personnel Office, 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#86 Street facing side of Raleigh and Gaston/Seaboard Coastline Building, Raleigh, 1970s

Street facing side of Raleigh and Gaston/Seaboard Coastline Building, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#87 North side of Raleigh and Gaston/Seaboard Coastline Building, Raleigh, 1970s

North side of Raleigh and Gaston/Seaboard Coastline Building, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#88 100 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh, looking north, 1970s

100 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh, looking north, 1970s

1 Point
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#89 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) and Raleigh Beltline, 1970s

Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) and Raleigh Beltline, 1970s

1 Point
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#90 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) and Raleigh Beltline, 1970s

Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) and Raleigh Beltline, 1970s

1 Point
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#91 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) and Raleigh Beltline, 1970s

Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) and Raleigh Beltline, 1970s

1 Point
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#92 Westinghouse, 2700 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard), Raleigh, 1970s

Westinghouse, 2700 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard), Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#93 Exide Electronics, Raleigh, unidentified location, 1970s

Exide Electronics, Raleigh, unidentified location, 1970s

1 Point
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#94 Unidentified, possibly on Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Unidentified, possibly on Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#96 2501 Ratchford Drive, Amburn Pontiac, Raleigh, 1970s

2501 Ratchford Drive, Amburn Pontiac, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#98 Raleigh Beltline overpass looking north over Wake Forest Road, 1970s

Raleigh Beltline overpass looking north over Wake Forest Road, 1970s

1 Point
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#99 1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#100 1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#101 1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
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#105 3200 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. 1305 Navaho Drive in background, 1970s

3200 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. 1305 Navaho Drive in background, 1970s

1 Point
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#106 200 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, looking south, 1970s

200 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, looking south, 1970s

0 Points
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#107 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) and Raleigh Beltline, 1970s

Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) and Raleigh Beltline, 1970s

0 Points
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16 Comments

  1. These pictures are absolutely captivating! I’m disappointed that the iconic Holiday Inn was demolished to make way for yet another generic “luxury” hotel and apartment building that looks like everything else. Given enough time, these modern buildings will become the 1960s and 1970s brutalist structures that haven’t aged well and are now seen as passé. Comparing these images to modern-day Raleigh is a mixed bag because the city’s aesthetic has become more middle to upper-income. In the 1970s, Raleigh’s appearance was closer to that of areas like Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville. The downside of having such a picturesque appearance is that in recent decades, Raleigh hasn’t been a place where people with significant wealth have chosen to reside.

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