I would probably get fired if I shared it (and can’t find it anyway) but we had an entire ATM kiosk stolen using a tow truck. The entire thing was filmed from the ATM and the branch camera including the license plates.
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The Mecca, man. I have a big hole in my history ‘need to know’ there if you or @dbearhugnc can fill it in. I know Mecca has been there since the 1930’s, but the building itself is on 1871 Drie pretty clearly and it appears to probably be antebellum with its wooden interior and stone exterior lintels. It’s form is exactly like other known antebellum buildings on Wilmington St. My guess is it was probably built when the 1840 Market House was built (also I don’t think I’ve seen a picture of that since it only survived until 1870…the 1870 of course having lots of pictures).
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The Mecca Luncheonette was opened in 1930 by Nicolaos “Nick” and Helen Doumbalis at 201 Fayetteville (the SWC of Fayetteville and Hargett street where the Christian Science Reading Room is located). Outgrowing that location, they moved to the present location at 13 E Martin Street in 1937. According to the WakeGov site, that building is noted as having been built in 1910. But, I’ve been burned by that database when doing a historical dive.
According to the 1886 Raleigh City Directory, 13 E Martin was operating as a ‘Commission Merchant’ run by M T Norris & Bro. They operated from two other addresses at 12 and 14 Exchange Place. Earlier, in 1875, Norris had run a grocery and commission merchant operation together with W A Myatt at 3 Exchange and 5 Martin. They apparently were just getting started in the mercantile business after the war, as their address was listed together as being boarders at the Yarborough House hotel. By the beginning of the 20th Century, Mr. Myatt had struck out on his own opening another store with his son, and was also one of the early home builders on Hillsborough Street being next door to the widow of Colonel Lawrence O’Bryan Branch (which is now where Raleigh Crossing is going up.)
The general layout of that block is noted as follows from the 1896 Sanborn Fire Insurance maps…
By 1914, part of that block has been demolished making way for the Citizen’s National Bank (which was later sadly demolished to make way for the current First Citizens Bank). 13 Martin Street doesn’t appear to have changed much from 1896 or earlier, now being the location of the Capital Cafe at that time.
Of note. The first City Market burned in 1868, and was quickly replaced. But, the ‘new’ market over on Moore Square opened in 1914. The second map on the posting notes this fact ‘(To be removed)’
The view of the Mecca is blocked in this 1932 aerial view by Commercial National Bank.
Downtown Raleigh looking north c. 1932.
N.53.15.1524
From the Albert Barden Collection, State Archives; Raleigh, NC.
And, you can just barely make out the ‘Mecca Restaurant’ sign in this shot from 1951…
To the left/north of the old City Market was the Fisher Building…
Pictured is the Fisher Building c. 1922 located at 219 Fayetteville Street—present day location of One Exchange Plaza. It was completed in late 1872 and featured an imported cast iron façade. The building was named after its owner and builder, Jefferson Fisher of Smithsburg, Maryland, who came to Raleigh in his early 20s. Shortly after settling into his new town he married Julia Clarke—Mayor William Clarke’s daughter. He continued on to become a successful retailer and farmer.
The Fisher building and The Briggs Hardware building, located directly across from one another, came up around the same time. The Briggs Building has a well-cited completion date of 1874—it’s on the building. However, T. H. Briggs and Son were open, operating and even advertising their business as of 22 May 1872—two years prior to the date on the building. The cornerstone for the Fisher Building was laid just a few months before Briggs opened in their new building.
Around 1925 the building was demolished (or heavily remodeled) and became Raleigh Building and Loan. This building would occupy the site until One Exchange Plaza was built in 1985.
The building on the far left next to the Almo Theater is the only extant structure in this picture. Foundation Bar currently occupies its basement.
N.53.16.4071
From the Albert Barden Collection, State Archives; Raleigh, NC.
And, finally, the Mecca is just barely visible here in 1965. Citizen’s National Bank is now gone with the site being prepared for the new First Citizen’s Bank. And, Wachovia (now ‘227’ and/or Poyner YMCA) has been completed.
Aerial view of 300 block of Fayetteville Street in March of 1965. In the foreground is Capital Bank Plaza (now First Horizon) seen under construction and nearing completion. This International Style modernist building features polished black granite and cherry paneling in the lobby.
NO.aerials.m-9.E.Fr039
From the N&O negative collection, State Archives of North Carolina; Raleigh, NC. Photo copyrighted by the Raleigh News and Observer. Illegal to use without express permission from the N&O.
So, @Mark, was that helpful?
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2 posts were merged into an existing topic: General Raleigh History
A post was merged into an existing topic: General Raleigh History
It was very helpful and I especially like the Raleigh City directory info because I don’t have access to that. I do see its also on the 1884 Sanborn and also on 1871 Drie (Drie has the two three story buildings immediately east as well). I am also trying to figure out its exact building date since I can’t pin it any earlier than 1871. I know lots of deeds were lost in some courthouse fires so don’t know if the 1840s exist anymore. Pics before the Civil War are of course rare period and I am not aware of any known Raleigh pics from then so not sure if its possible to determine at this point unless some personal accounting books or a secondary source surfaces (like maybe Jacob Holt at there when he was in town or something)
Glad to be of assistance.
The Raleigh City Directories digitized from UNC’s collection are available free of charge at archive.org.
Be warned, though. The oldest edition Chataigne’s is from 1875. And the addresses are listed as their relative position on the street - i.e. ‘Blount nr Martin.’ You will go mad trying to search for a specific building.
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I wonder if there’s a historic facade under that quasi brutalism?
Good question. Did you know this was once NCNB?
No there was an 11 story building there before. The one before that was about the size of the current building but it was demolished about 1911.
NCNB was in the current building before First Citizens. The building First Citizens tore down (imploded) is where PNC is now.
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Here comes my opinion.
I’m kind of shocked that First Citizens seems to go out of their way to make ugly buildings. And I’m not even really talking about this one on Fville I now know started life with another company. The toadstool at North Hills being by far and away the worst. The other NH has just a tad more (still bad) character than their Hammond Rd facility. Even the decade+ old rendering of their possible downtown tower with its little Greek temple hat was horrendous. I know no one makes money by spending money but you’d think they would want to project an image of success. They seem scattered and incoherent and that’s not who I want handling my money.
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The word on UP is that they are conservative as it gets when it comes to money. They don’t spend a dime more than they have to.
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That’s the old FCB. They have loosened the purse strings. I like to think they spend it wisely.
Looks like Greg Hatem and Empire properties have finalized the purchase of 208 Fayetteville St.
Which is between the CVS and Kimbrells’ Furniture, and is also one of the properties rezoned to 40 stories. I know Hatem also owns Kimbrell’s and I believe another lot on this block but can’t remember which one. I’m guessing him and another developer have big plans for this block.
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Does this include the building with the CVS and the Kimbrell’s building?
Isn’t “the L” the only thing Empire has ever built? Seems like they really only do renovations and property management. I wouldn’t count on any big plans.
No.
That’s owned by 2 brothers supposedly. In Wilmington I believe. One wants to fix it up or sell. The other doesn’t want to do anything
So I’ve been told
He used to live above Mahler Gallery and also owns the bank building immediately south of Mahler.