Not long ago I wrote about the Boylan wye, and described what remains of that former downtown train switchyard and industrial district. Today the most prominent relic there can be easily seen from the Boylan Ave bridge — a rusted cement plant gravel hopper towering over the site. But virtually invisible to most observers today is the weed-choked and debris-strewn sunken area that is the footprint of the former Smith Coal and Oil Co. coal yard.

This is a view of a portion of the Boylan wye from the bridge in 1970. The concrete plant is on the left and the coal yard is just right of center, below the two box cars. The present-day photo at the top shows the tracks the boxcars were parked on in 1970. The remnants of the coal yard are just to the right of these tracks.

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Once the news broke of Obama’s projected victory, those crowded in the Raleigh Times erupted in celebration and happiness.

Minutes later, the corner of Hargett and Wilmington Streets were filled with people dancing, clapping, and hugging one another. There were celebrations across other parts of downtown too.  Be sure to check out New Raleigh for more photos and coverage of people filling the streets upon hearing the news.

The man facing the camera was overcome with emotion at the news. He had the following to say to me and Jeremy (foreground):

Y’all don’t know what this is about. This is something else. I went to Vietnam and could not eat in a motherfucking restaurant. I was told “Sir, you can’t go in here”. I remember going to the Raleigh Sandwich Shop and having to go in the right door. In 1971 there were National Guard troops along all the streets.

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