Comments on: A Ghost of Christmas Past

By: raleighgirl

raleighgirl — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:37:24 +0000

Thanks for these photos and the trip down Memory Lane. Ah yes…those Hudson-Belk window displays were really something, especially to little kids. Just going to see those displays at night was reason enough to make a trip downtown. They seemed to be more elaborate with each passing year. And the Christmas parades at night…seems like they were always on a Monday night and it would be sooo cold. When the bare-legged majorettes and bare-shouldered beauty queens on floats would pass by, my mom would always say “Tsk tsk, those poor girls must be freezing. You can see the goosebumps on their arms and legs.” My grandfather had an office in the (long-gone) Security Bank Building on Fayetteville St. and when we were pre-schoolers, we’d go up to his office and view the parade from there where it was warm. I don’t recall Santa’s house at Cameron-Village JC Penney’s (I may have outgrown Santa visits by then); the Santa I visited was located in the basement of Sears which stood in the current Harris-Teeter location on Oberlin Road. I have a photo of myself at age 5 sitting on Santa’s lap.

Happy Holidays to all!

By: Arial

Arial — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:19:29 +0000

I remember the Occidental Life decorations. I worked there in the 1970s. That was a beautiful buildiing, worthy of a post, RB.

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:16:08 +0000

Hey thanks for the comments and for sharing your memories, NCSU, and Merry Christmas to you too! I do remember the Hudson Belk display windows, but unfortunately, no pics! I don’t remember the self-decorating Christmas tree, though, nor the singing silver tree at Cam Vill…they both sound awesome! I think I do recall the little Santa’s House and the Nativity Scene at the Occidental Building. Anything with a building in it seems to stick out in my mind! And Mr Cross’ yard>> was that at the corner of Dickens and New Bern? There always was a fabulous display there. Anyway, thanks for the comments and be sure to keep an eye out for more of my photos in 2009!

By: NCSU

NCSU — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:17:38 +0000

Wonder what movie was playing at the Ambassador that night?

I echo all the “thanks” here for sharing your photos with us. You’re a bit older than I am, but I too was born and raised here in Raleigh, so I remember a lot of long-gone entities your old photos so wonderfully document. Did you happen to get any photos of the wonderful windows at Hudson-Belk? I remember standing on the sidewalk for hours staring at them.

Remember the Hudson-Belk secret shop for kids and the magical Christmas Tree that would decorate itself while you watched? I must have bought gallons of horrible-smelling perfumes and colognes there for my mom and dad who accepted them all with a hug and an “Oooh, that smells so good!” I bet my dad still has some of those bottles in his bathroom.

Remember the big silver singing Christmas tree at Cameron Village? Santa Claus’ little house just outside of J.C. Penny and getting the plastic Santa rings after you talked to him? Remember the lone white star on top of Dix Hill? The huge nativity mural on the side of the Occidental Life building on Wade Avenue? Mr. Cross’ yard on New Bern Avenue?

I suppose we’re lucky we still have the WRAL tower.

Merry Christmas to all . . . and to all a GOOD-NIGHT, Raleigh!

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:47:22 +0000

Hey thanks Leo! And I’m with you on lighted store signs…Gotta love that neon! Ditto on a night time Christmas parade too! The memory of that has stuck with me way longer than any of the daytime versions.

By: Leo

Leo — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:10:25 +0000

Great pictures!

Along with the Christmas lights, I like seeing the lit up signs along Fayetteville St. Bring back the night time parade!

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:44:15 +0000

Hey thanks man! And thanks to you for bringing me on board! Looking forward to developing my skill with the camera and bringing more of Raleigh “then and now” to Goodnight Raleigh! Merry Christmas, and all the best for the New Year!

By: John

John — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:32:21 +0000

Raleigh Boy – I have to agree with Pineview. My favorite posts are always the ‘then and now’ ones, and having a night shot from the 60s contrasted with a current one is a real treat!

Glad you’re on board and I’m very grateful for what you’ve been able to share with readers of the blog. Merry Christmas to you, and looking forward to what you have in store for 2009!

By: Raleigh Boy

Raleigh Boy — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:43:18 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, Pineview! Be sure to check out my posts next year for more Raleigh “then and now.” And Merry Christmas to you too, and Happy New Year!

By: Pineview Style

Pineview Style — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:38:30 +0000

Thanks for the post. It’s a real treat, as always, to get to see these vintage photos contrasted with present-day photos of the city. Merry Christmas!