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Wake Wednesday - Fourth Ward, a Wake County Neighborhood That Disappeared

In post Civil War Raleigh, a community grew out of the land that that had once been the Cannon Plantation. Simple homes were built and rented to freedmen and became the Fourth Ward Neighborhood. 

The Fourth Ward is long gone.  The community was razed in 1971 to build roads that provided a faster access out of town taking out homes, churches, and local commerce in the process. The plight of the community and efforts to permanently protect and honor its memory is recreated in this recent article by Josh Shaffer in the N&O. The story is told by the reminisences of former residents. The haunting black and white photos speak volumes themselves. I refer you here to the article. 


In addition, this week is a week of celebration in recognition and remembrance of the Fourth Ward.  The week-long schedule of events has been arranged by Octavia Rainey, a Raleigh Historian and leader of the effort for permanent recognition. Full details of the events and instructions to RSVP are included at this link-    https://livableraleigh.com/event/the-fourth-ward-cookout/

Here is a summary of the event schedule: 

Monday, August 26, 6p.m. – 7p.m.: A Celebration of Mount Hope Cemetery Fourth Ward, Mount Hope Cemetery, 120 Prospect Avenue

Wednesday, August 28, 6p.m. – 8p.m.: Kickoff of the Fourth Ward Exhibit at the City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street (Exhibits will run through Sunday, Sept. 21 2024)

Thursday, August 29, 6p.m. – 8p.m.: The Fourth Ward Meet and Greet, at the Raleigh Pathways Center, 900 S. Wilmington Street (Additional parking is available at the Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South Street)

Friday, August 30, 6p.m. – 8p.m.: A session on Restrictive Covenants, the African Enslaved Project, and Black Land Loss, Dorothea Dix Chapel, 1030 Richardson Drive

Saturday, August 31, 1p.m. – 5p.m.: The Fourth Ward Cookout, Roberts Park, 1300 E. Martin Street

 Sunday, September 1, 4p.m. – 6p.m.: Gospel Extravaganza – The Five Black Churches of The Fourth Ward – Black Neighborhood Expo, Fletcher Hall, 2 E. South Street

View Fourth Ward images at the NC State Archives Flickr page. In addition to the image, there is a detailed summary of who is in the photo and locations where available. Be sure to click each thumbnail and scroll down to get the written details. 



Wedding Party Fourth Ward 1958, NC Archives Flickr

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