in Places & People

Fascinating Historical Photos of Raleigh, NC from the 1970s

6.2k Views 16 Comments

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

18 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

13 Points
Upvote Downvote

#3 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

12 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

11 Points
Upvote Downvote

#5 333 Fayetteville Street, BB&T Building, Raleigh, 1970s

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

10 Points
Upvote Downvote

#7 1101 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 1970s

1101 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, 1970s

10 Points
Upvote Downvote

#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

10 Points
Upvote Downvote

#10 100 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, looking south, 1970s

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

9 Points
Upvote Downvote

#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

9 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

8 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

8 Points
Upvote Downvote

#14 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

8 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

8 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

Entrance to Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh, 1970s

7 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

7 Points
Upvote Downvote

#20 Former Woolworth’s storefront, 200 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

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

7 Points
Upvote Downvote

#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

7 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

7 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

Residence at 2405 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, 1970s

6 Points
Upvote Downvote

#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

6 Points
Upvote Downvote

#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

6 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

6 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

6 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

5 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

5 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#34 Salisbury and Jones Streets, State Personnel Building, 1970s

Salisbury and Jones Streets, State Personnel Building, 1970s

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#35 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

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#36 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

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#40 Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#41 2800 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

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

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#43 Building Supply, 2610 Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Building Supply, 2610 Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#44 Carolina Builder’s Supply, 3000 Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

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

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

#45 Intersection of Navaho and Executive Drive, Raleigh, 1970s

Intersection of Navaho and Executive Drive, Raleigh, 1970s

4 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#50 208 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, 1970s

208 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#52 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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#53 515 North Blount Street, Lewis-Smith House, Raleigh, 1970s

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#54 Entrance to Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh, 1970s

Entrance to Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#59 North Carolina Archives and History Building, Raleigh, 1970s

North Carolina Archives and History Building, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#60 3151 Capital Boulevard (North Boulevard) looking north, Raleigh, 1970s

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#61 Unidentified, possibly Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

Unidentified, possibly Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

#64 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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

3 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#70 Unidentified location in Downtown Raleigh, 1970s

Unidentified location in Downtown Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#75 Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#76 Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

Raleigh Beltine terminus at New Bern Avenue exit, 1970s

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#77 2501 Ratchford Drive, Amburn Pontiac, Raleigh, 1970s

2501 Ratchford Drive, Amburn Pontiac, Raleigh, 1970s

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

2 Points
Upvote Downvote

#80 Unidentified semi-rural area, 1970s.

Unidentified semi-rural area, 1970s.

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

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

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#83 134 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

134 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#84 100 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
Upvote Downvote

#85 119 Fayetteville Street storefront, Raleigh, 1970s

119 Fayetteville Street storefront, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#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
Upvote Downvote

#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
Upvote Downvote

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

100 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh, looking north, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

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

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

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

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

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

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

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

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

Exide Electronics, Raleigh, unidentified location, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

Unidentified, possibly on Yonkers Road, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

2501 Ratchford Drive, Amburn Pontiac, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

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

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

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

1100 Navaho Drive under construction, Raleigh, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#103 3101 Wake Forest Road, Wachovia Bank, 1970s

3101 Wake Forest Road, Wachovia Bank, 1970s

1 Point
Upvote Downvote

#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
Upvote Downvote

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

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

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

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

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

0 Points
Upvote Downvote
Avatar of Aung Budhh

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

16 Comments

Load more comments