Comments on: Reminiscences of a Raleigh Boy: Part 6

By: David Austin

David Austin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:56:18 +0000

Thanks for reminding me about Jack. I too remember him playing; he also visited our church on several occasions.

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:06:39 +0000

Hmm, I remember visiting Santa inside Hudson Belk across the street, sorta. I was pretty young then. But I do, however, vividly remember ‘Jack.’ He was a devoted member of the Salvation Army, and every Christmas, proudly wearing his full SA uniform — dark blue, regulation cap, brass buttons and all — he would station himself with his red kettle in front of Hudson Belk and play Christmas carols on his accordian. Even at my young age his devotion to his mission touched me. I don’t think casual passersby even knew that Jack was blind. When he passed away in the 1970s, I remember an SA official commenting to the N&O that ‘Jack died yesterday, and woke up today and saw Jesus.’

By: David

David — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:47:06 +0000

What I remember most about the old courthouse was that during Christmas Santa Claus was stationed in front in a small open structure. That was back in the early 50′s.

By: Jay Coop

Jay Coop — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:43:33 +0000

Unfortunately, as sad as it is to say, but this building probably HAD to be razed. There is no way it would be big enough to keep up with all the people that come there on a daily basis in this day and time. Great information as usual!

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:33:48 +0000

Sure Carol. Here’s a couple internet sites for you. This one shows a couple different views and gives an outline of its history: http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu?id=commercialnationalbankbuilding-raleigh-nc-usa
Here is a rare view of the interior from 1918:
http://flickr.com/photos/37655252@N00/446009416/
There’s also a new book out, Historic Photos of Raleigh-Durham, that shows it and lots of other rare photos of downtown Raleigh, too!
http://www.amazon.com/Historic-Photos-Raleigh-Durham-Photos/dp/1596523387/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222691331&sr=1-1

By: Carol

Carol — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:02:13 +0000

That makes me ill just thinking about that beautiful torn down building.
Do you happen to have (or can point me toward) a photo of that gothic revival Commercial National Bank of 1912?
Carol