Dear Goodnight Raleigh readers,

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the June 30, 2018 passing of Karl Edward Larson, known to readers and friends alike as Raleigh Boy. He battled a brief illness with optimism and strength.

Karl came of age in the 1960s, a time of energetic and abrupt transition in Raleigh. Citizens watched as the city changed some with anger, some with hope. Karl was able to view the changes in an historical perspective. Perhaps influenced by his father’s love of history, he recognized at a young age that the new construction, urban renewal and demolition of historic Raleigh homes and buildings were worth documenting”and document he did. He rode the streets of Raleigh by bike with his Kodak Instamatic camera, snapping photographs of his changing city. He recorded the growth, destruction, stagnation, rot and every crack in between. In so doing, he formed a bond with his hometown that would never waver.

Raleigh was Karl’s primal landscape–the benchmark on which he compared all others. He devoted countless hours to studying Raleigh’s history; filing away not only names and dates, but astute historical analysis peppered with the right amount of perspective, imagination and curiosity.

Those of you who had the pleasure of his company know of his humble and kind nature, engaging conversation and unmistakable laugh–a sometimes quite raucous “YUK, yuk, yuk!” often accompanied by “Lordy mercy!” or “Girl, I swear!” It was rare that I saw Karl in a state anything short of a decent mood. His infectious conviviality earned him many friends. I considered him my best friend, but he wasn’t the type to choose favorites. In addition to friendship, Karl taught me volumes of Raleigh history, but what he didn’t teach me, I learned myself using skills he taught me about research, how to objectively and fairly perceive and analyze the past, and how to notice and remember details.

For nearly a decade, Karl’s posts on Goodnight Raleigh have entertained and educated many thousands. Thankfully, that will continue as his voice lives on in written word. His legacy and monument lie in the great numbers of people he touched through friendship, educated and instilled within a stronger sense of place.

Goodnight, Raleigh Boy. Requiescat in pace.

You can read more about Karl’s life here: https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/article214803170.html

One hundred years ago, on September 30, 1914,  a familiar downtown landmark — Raleigh’s City Market – opened its doors to the public. Join us this week in celebrating the centenary of this historic and venerable market house.

A centennial celebration will take place at City Market on Moore Square this Friday, October 3, beginning at 4pm. The party will feature live music, street performers, and a special menu by Big Ed Watkins (Big Ed’s Restaurant) and Paul Reams (Smoked Out ‘n’ Fried). ‘City Market Centennial Ale’ will be offered by Triangle Brewing Co. The festivities will run until 11pm.

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Now is your chance to tour a Raleigh architectural treasure. Through the efforts of Preservation North Carolina (PNC), the historic Crabtree Jones House was rescued from demolition and moved to a site nearby earlier this year.

Public tours of the relocated structure will be held this Thursday, July 31, 5-8 pm, with a repeat tour on Sunday, August 3, 1-4 pm. This may be your last opportunity to explore both the exterior and interior of this gem of Federal style architecture. More details follow below.

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