Comments on: Reminiscences of a Raleigh Boy, Part 4: The Warehouse District

By: Mark Herd

Mark Herd — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:32:44 +0000

Liz,
I can confirm your question second hand of the 1960,s probably 66’ or 67’ Bob Dylan appearance at Side Track, near the Dylan Supply Company warehouses. The warehouse was next to the railroad tracks. My friend Sarah Markman told me of attending the concert, and later seeing Bob D. at a Newport Folk festival that summer and his smiling at her. I worked at Peden Steel in 1971 soon after high school. Stories were still being bantered about of John Peden riding up to the tool shop to fix his motorcycle. By then he was in New York, as was I in 1979. I remember his photos in the NY Times fashion section on Jullian Alexander in the early 80’s. I think he is still around. He has an active website with really cool photography.

Mark

By: lizzie

lizzie — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:21:46 +0000

I just discovered Goodnight Raleigh last month and am fascinated. Could you possibly find someone to write about prehistoric times – the 60’s – and the infamous Sidetrack, owned and operated by the self-named Jesus Christ Peden. I fondly remember all the rumors about Bob Dylan stopping by, a myth. I also have good memories of the first psychadelic nightclub, The Trip, and General Headquarters on Hillsborough Avenue. Actually, nothing is scarier than seeing pictures of people you knew in the 60’s sporting long hair and doing plenty of recreational drugs who are now balding, khaki pants and polo shirt wearing Republicans.

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:13:18 +0000

puckjr– Thanks for commenting. As for the NC State steam tunnels, check out these previous posts on GNR:

http://goodnightraleigh.com/2008/10/the-steam-tunnels-of-ncsu-part-1/
http://goodnightraleigh.com/2008/10/the-steam-tunnels-of-ncsu-part-2/

I did go beneath the old concrete stadium stands a couple times, as they were easy to get into. I’d forgotten about that, as it was so long ago–thanks for reminding me. The site now has been totally cleared for new construction, and the old stadium is no more.

As far as the ‘catacombs’– I went back there last fall and there is only one relatively small section left; the more impressive chambers beneath the old bottling plant are unfortunately gone– filled in from above.

By: puckjr

puckjr — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:56:38 +0000

I saw you were talking about some catacombs…did you ever go down into the steam tunnels under NC State campus? There were entrances around the campus through what looked similar to gutter drains, except that they were raised a bit from the ground. There were ladder rungs embedded in the concrete so you could climb down into the tunnels, but you had to pick up the grate to gain access to the ladders. I believe there was also an entrance at the the old stadium, (which, last I saw, was a parking lot with bleachers all around), and this entrance had a door.

By: Deane Olson

Deane Olson — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:18:45 +0000

I was pleased to read an see the comments and pictures by Raleigh Boy. Thanks for sharing.

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:36:18 +0000

According to John Dancy-Jones, when he relocated The Paper Plant to this building in 1985 the space with the garage door was occupied by a windshield glass business. So it makes sense: the employees could just drive the cars with the busted out windshields into the shop for repair!

By: John

John — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:33:40 +0000

One thing I’m curious about – The 300 block photo from 1971 has “Drive In” above the garage door. Was this an auto shop? What did “Drive In” refer to?

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:43:38 +0000

The “catacombs” I am referring to are within the substructure of the old Coca Cola bottling plant. You gotta remember, though, I explored them 30+ years ago, but I do intend on going back over there to see if they are still accessible. If they are, maybe I’ll do another post!

By: nichole

nichole — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:34:06 +0000

I have been doing some exploring of Raleigh myself and was curious about the catacombs you mentioned????

By: Leo

Leo — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:28:11 +0000

Great post. The rail yard before and after at the end are my favorite pictures.

The warehouse district is due for some big attention in the coming years.