State Penitentiary, Raleigh, N.C.
This week for Flashback Friday, we feature this rather grim-looking, real-photo postcard view of the State Pen in Raleigh. It was mailed to a sailor on board the naval cruiser USS Galveston in 1907.
Our correspondent, ‘Helen,’ was a new arrival in Raleigh at the time, and apparently didn’t care for our city too much.
Very near where we are living. No buildings but corn field between us.
We live on top of a small hill. Penitentiary at the west – on all the other sides is the wonderful (?) city. I don’t like it. Too much red clay. Just arrived Friday night with baby and girls. Address 716 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, N.C.
Sincerely, Helen
I truly hope Helen eventually got over her homesickness. The house she and her family lived in was new in 1907 and still stands on W. Hargett. It was erected soon after Hargett was extended through the Boylan Wye in 1904.
The State Penitentiary was designed by Ohio architect Levi Scofield, and construction began in 1870. In 1884 the enormous castellated brick and granite edifice was finally completed. It was demolished in the late 1970s.
“Flashback Friday” is a weekly feature of Goodnight, Raleigh! in which we showcase vintage postcards depicting our historic capital city. We hope you enjoy this week end treat!
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04/15/2011
Prison looks a lot better than the one now.
04/15/2011
I lived along that stretch of Hargett St. about 1970 — maybe that same building. We called it Prisonview Apartments!
04/15/2011
Is any of the old prison still standing? I am under the impression that a small section of it remains.
04/15/2011
CX — haha! I agree!
Al — hah! Prisonview Apts — was that ‘Helen’s’ house as shown in the google maps link or maybe the brick one next door?
Savannah — Sadly, nothing remains of the old prison cell blocks and admin building shown in the photo. (Although I do have in my possession 3 handmade prison bricks I was able to snag during the demo.) However, the massive, 30 foot high solid granite block wall that surrounded the original complex does still stand today. If you zoom in on the google aerial map link, it can easily be seen. You can also see the real thing itself from the adjacent RR tracks, and also from the state school for the blind, next door.
04/16/2011
I think Prisonview Apartments was that same house you pointed to — I remember those tall windows on the second floor where my bedroom was. Of course, it was a long time ago, and I wasn’t always in full possession of my faculties in those days.
11/01/2011
I walked those old walls several times as groundskeeper for Central Prison. The granite is worn smooth in places from the guards walking the walls.