Raleigh Street Map From The 1960s
From our archives, incomplete parts of a vintage Raleigh street map, circa 1960s. Download larger version (PDF, 61MB)
Archive of posts filed under the History category.
New Hope Station 2, Wendell Station 2, and No Man’s Land
Wake County history hit. For our Sunday reading, let’s take a deep dive into the story of New Hope Station 2 (now their main station) and Wendell Station 2. Turning the clock back at the fall of 1987, when county commissioners considered proposals to add fire protection to the so-called “no man’s land” in eastern …
Continue reading ‘New Hope Station 2, Wendell Station 2, and No Man’s Land’ »
Not a Former Firehouse in Raleigh
This is a blog version of a Facebook posting from August 2025. Not an old engine house. Located behind the Quorum Center on West Jones Street, this old building in downtown Raleigh is not a former fire station. However, that’s the story that some Raleigh-ites have heard over the years and decades. That’s also what …
Wake County Fire Service Governance Timeline
Chart updated October 15, 2025. Posting created August 23, 2023. This is a blog version of an earlier Facebook posting. Presenting a new infographic, a high-level history of fire service governance in Wake County. Source is this research on the history of Wake County fire protection and fire service governance. See also this history chart …
Continue reading ‘Wake County Fire Service Governance Timeline’ »
Raleigh and Wake County Planning Maps 1970 and 2025
Comparing maps that appeared in a City of Raleigh fire protection planning document in 1970 with other map data: Raleigh projected growth + later/current fire stations (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + Raleigh annexation history (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + current fire insurance districts (PDF) Wake County rural fire districts + current …
Continue reading ‘Raleigh and Wake County Planning Maps 1970 and 2025’ »
Deadliest Mass Shootings in North Carolina History
Research notes on the deadliest mass shootings in North Carolina history, expanded from this Facebook posting on September 28, 2025. These notes are still undergoing review and revisions. Supplement to Mike Legeros deadliest disaster database. Abbreviations: SP (Single Perpetrator) MP (Multiple Perpetrators) Type Incident Date / Location Killed Wounded Total Casualties Source SP Carthage Nursing …
Continue reading ‘Deadliest Mass Shootings in North Carolina History’ »
Winston-Salem Armory Explosion – September 26, 1969
View clippings and other documents Introduction On Saturday, September 26, 1969, a methane explosion and flash fire at the National Guard Armory on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem injured 25 members of the North Carolina National Guard. Seven of the most seriously injured were flown to an Army burn center in Texas. Three later died. …
Continue reading ‘Winston-Salem Armory Explosion – September 26, 1969’ »
Tracking Engine Swaps in Raleigh
It’s the season of engine swaps in Raleigh, with four new Pierce Sabers and four new Pierce Enforcers delivered this summer. The four Sabers were recently placed in service as Engines 21 26 27 28. The older pumpers assigned to each company have been reassigned to other companies. Here’s a tracking chart of these and …
Apparatus Accidents with Civilian Fatalities
Last updated August 17, 2025. This is an updated blog version of a Facebook posting from 2009. Research notes on civilian fatalities in fire apparatus accidents in North Carolina. Contents 2025 – Durham – Quint 19 / motorcycle, 1 fatality 2023 – Charlotte – Ladder 24 / motorcycle, 1 fatality 2019 – Kannapolis – …
Continue reading ‘Apparatus Accidents with Civilian Fatalities’ »
Wilmington Natural Gas Explosion and Fire – August 5, 1987
Looking back at the natural gas explosion and flash fire in downtown Wilmington August 5, 1987. Timeline On August 5, 1987, Welco Construction and Utilities Company, based in Florence, SC, was excavating in the 4600 block of Market Street. They were installing sanitary sewer lines in preparation for a project to widen Market Street. The …
Continue reading ‘Wilmington Natural Gas Explosion and Fire – August 5, 1987’ »