Historic Oakwood - Raleigh, NC
Published by Michael on Tagged Raleigh Neighborhoods
True to its name, the Historic Oakwood subdivision in Raleigh is located right on the edge of downtown Raleigh, NC. The Historic Oakwood neighborhood has a large number of homes, many of which are built in different styles of architecture. This mélange of designs is what gives historic Oakwood its real beauty and what distinguishes it the other neighborhoods in Raleigh, NC.
Some being more than a century old, the houses in Historic Oakwood are in need renovation both inside and out. The residents are working tirelessly to accomplish this, as evidenced by the many houses have already been restored to their original beauty with painstaking effort.
Many of the residents in Historic Oakwood have lived here for decades and there are more than a few avid gardeners. This is why you’ll find not only tree-lined streets but also beautiful private gardens in Historic Oakwood. The treed streets invite walking and residents and visitors alike here prefer to walk rather than drive around the neighborhood. A walking tour pamphlet for Historic Oakwood is available at the Capitol Area Visitors Center
Oakwood is also known for the “Candlelight Tour,” organized each year in the month of December. During this tour, the public gets a glimpse of some of the best-designed and preserved homes and gardens in Historic Oakwood.
Historic Oakwood was once a part of a plantation owned by Henry Mordecai. In 1867, he donated a piece of his land to be used as cemetery. This cemetery was named “Oakwood Cemetery” and from that, Historic Oakwood derives its name.
There were just a handful of houses in 1872 when the neighborhood was established. Ten years later, there were 50 homes in Historic Oakwood, many of which belonged to some of the most important people in the Raleigh, NC area. Historic Oakwood is the only neighborhood left intact from that era, possibly due to the tireless efforts of preservationists. For those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of days gone by, Historic Oakwood is a wonderful place to live.
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