Goodbye and Goodnight, Raleigh!
The first photo published to this blog – a multi-exposure photo of myself taken at the Municipal Building in 2005
After more than five years of writing about and taking photographs of a city I’m in love with, it’s time for me to wind down my contributions to this blog.
I’ve made Raleigh home for the past eight years, but will soon call somewhere else home. This means that I can no longer continue posting here on a regular basis, and I’m turning over Goodnight Raleigh to our long time Editor and Historian, Raleigh Boy.
Although I’ve often thought about living life elsewhere in America, I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. I have a backlog of posts and stories to tell, mainly involving the beautiful and unique architecture we have here. An unexpected change in job status and a new opportunity occured at the end of 2012, and now is the time for me to go.
I took this photo of Fayetteville Street (Mall) in 2004 not long after moving here. Then there were no people, it was full of trees and fountains, and it had this Sir Walter Raleigh statue.
Just some photos I take of Downtown Raleigh
What started out as an experiment in 2007 to discover my new city became a place of reference and communication, with at least one tangible benefit to the community — the Color Wall restoration — and several other awareness campaigns. Our readers have thoughtful discussion and many folks have been reunited with long lost friends through article comments. No longer just pictures I take, it’s a place with four regular contributors and many other occasional contributors with their own perspective on our city.
Our readers have taught me so much, provided sources for so many stories, challenged dubious assertions, and greatly contributed to telling the narrative of Raleigh past and present.
Goodnight Raleigh’s New Publisher
I am very happy to announce that our Editor has accepted my offer of promotion to Publisher of Goodnight Raleigh.
Raleigh Boy in the Heck-Andrews House
Raleigh Boy will continue to tell the stories of Raleigh beyond his weekly ‘Flashback Friday‘ column. Raleigh Boy is the definitive Raleigh historian, and I can’t think of anyone else better suited to run this blog.
A Team of Highly Talented Photographers
We also have two other regular contributors, renowned photographers Bryan Regan and Ian F.G. Dunn. Both add a beautiful and distinct perspective and it is my hope they both continue contributing here.
Not Quite Goodbye, More Like ‘Until Next Time’
This isn’t my final post–I have hundreds of photos of Raleigh that I’ve never published, and I intend to occasionally contribute here in the future. I’ll stay on board for technical support and continue to maintain the site. Additionally, my brother and closest friends live here–so I will maintain strong ties to Raleigh.
Thank you for being a part of this community, and thank you for helping me learn about our truly unique and beautiful city.
Until next time,
John Morris
Former Publisher, Goodnight Raleigh
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01/04/2013
Best of luck to you, John. You will be missed!
01/04/2013
Good luck!
01/04/2013
Will definitely miss you. Best wishes and prayers for happiness and success on this next step of your journey.
01/04/2013
Glad you have a job and thanks for getting someone to take over the site. I enjoy it very much. Best of luck.
01/04/2013
Chicago thinks it doesn’t need you but they will find out different! You certainly created a place vibe here in Raleigh that was sorely needed! I hope we can fill your shoes.
01/04/2013
Thank you for all you have done! And, I wish you the best in your new adventures. And, thanks for keeping Goodnight Raleigh alive by passing the reigns!
01/04/2013
Thanks for all you’ve done over the years advocating for the history and preservation of a quality built environment! I will definitely miss your voice and perspective on numerous issues relating to the city in the future. Best of luck on everything!
01/04/2013
John,
You’ve truly helped document the Oak City in a unique and special way. I wish you the best on your next adventure, where I have no doubt you’ll soon become a regular flâneur. Good luck!
01/04/2013
Good luck, John. Goodnight Raleigh was the best, is the best, and I hope it continues to be the best.
01/04/2013
Thanks for all the enjoyable info and images
01/04/2013
I usually don’t comment, but value your work tremendously. I’ve appreciated how you have given buildings a soul, a voice to neighborhoods and parks like Chavis and it has helped me dig a little deeper to learn more too, so thanks! Good luck in your future endeavors!
01/04/2013
John, thank you so much for creating Goodnight Raleigh. I left my family’s home in Raleigh about 40 years ago to begin my professional life. For years I was back there often, but the deaths of my parents and my daughter’s later decision to leave NCSU after two years in order to attend nursing school have resulted in only occasional visits to Raleigh. So, when I stumbled across Goodnight Raleigh 3 1/2 years ago while I was looking for photos of Hugh Morson (which for me was a Junior High School), I could not believe my good fortune…regular pictures, postings, and insights about places in the city I have loved my entire life. I look forward to it, talk about it, and read it multiple times each week. About a year ago, I’m guessing, I was looking for info on the net about another city, my mom’s home, which I have loved since my childhood and wanted to live in since age 12 or 13. Yep, I stumbled across Goodnight Asheville. Unbelievable! Many Thanks!!! Bob Thomas
01/04/2013
Thank you, John, for all you’ve done for our wonderful city. You will be missed for sure. Chicago’s lucky to get you!
01/04/2013
Thanks for taking the time to share and create such a lovely homage to the City of Oaks. I will give a little kiss to my City-Blox and wish you safe travels and best wishes for your new journey! You will be missed …
01/04/2013
John, Best wishes to you in your new adventures! Thanks for all you’ve done with this website and Raleigh’s unique history. I enjoyed getting to meet you at the WKNC Afterhours’ Reunion Show 5 years ago:
http://goodnightraleigh.com/2008/12/the-afterhours-ten-year-reunion-show/
01/04/2013
Thank you John for creating this higly informative website. I was turned onto GNR a few years ago and quickly found myself checking back often. You are a true Raleigh historian and will be missed. I wish you all the best in Chicago.
01/04/2013
I’ve enjoyed your work and wish you all the best in your new city. Congratulations and happy travels!
01/04/2013
thank you. I’m off to design box for a new cityblok now
01/04/2013
I have enjoyed reading Goodnight Raleigh and like everyone, I will miss your amazing photos of this great city. You are so talented & humble! I look forward to the photos of the windy city & your yet to be discovered treasures of your new hood. Wishing you all the best!
01/04/2013
Thank You , John for the wonderful blog. Best of luck in your new endeavor.
01/05/2013
As a Raleigh expatriate I have enjoyed your words and photos which have made Raleigh leap into the present for me. I discovered the blog three years ago when Googling Morson (Jr.) High and discovered Raleigh Boy’s excellent memoir. You both have done good work. Amazing work.
I think Karl was born for this job.
01/05/2013
Many thanks for many unique perspectives!
01/05/2013
Thank you John, for all your photos, ideas and projects — especially the restoration of the color wall at NCSU.
You have made an invaluable contribution to the life and the people of Raleigh.
Welcome to Raleigh Boy, I’m sure he will carry on in your stead!
01/05/2013
I’m a live long resident – its been truly amazing rediscovering Raleigh through this blog. So many things I’ve forgotten about this blog has made me remember. I can’t tell yuo how many amazing photographs I have taken just from visiting the sites of many of these blog posts.
Thanks and good luck on your new direction in life.
01/07/2013
I too am a life-long resident of Raleigh. I can’t thank you enough for this, my favorite, blog. Good luck in all your future endeavors!
OK, Raleigh Boy, BRING IT!!! ;)
01/07/2013
I second hollywoodgirl’s conclusion that Karl was born to be the new helmsman of Goodnight Raleigh. My fondest memories of Raleigh have been repeatedly vivified by Karl’s photos, recollections, and historical perspectives. I am looking forward to more.
01/07/2013
Best of luck in the future. You left your mark via this blog. Always very enjoyable. Will continue to read, but your perspective will be missed.
01/07/2013
Thanks for this great blog and all your work. Good luck in your next adventure!
01/07/2013
Sad to see you go, John. Thank you for keeping this going, as I have enjoyed many great articles and photos through the years.
01/07/2013
You made a wonderful contribution to our city, John.
Best of luck in Chicago, but y’all come back now, hear?
02/14/2013
I am way late to commenting on this. It’s amazing what you’ve done with this blog over the years. Truly impressive, and the perfect example of what a blog can do. A treasure for sure.
04/30/2013
This is what I find after not checking in for a while? :-( sad to see you go, this blog has been SOOOO informative and educational…and I say that as a lifelong Raleigh resident. Best wishes in your next adventure and stop by Raleighwood whenever you can!!