12.19.2023

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

51º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 5:17 p.m.

🎄 A different Father Christmas

William Christmas, the man who designed downtown Raleigh

A sketch of William Christmas' plans for the city of Raleigh.

Do you recognize any street names or geography from this early plan for Raleigh? | Photo via Learn North Carolina, Wikimedia Commons

While wandering our downtown streets, we wondered just how these roads came to be. The answer — a plan from a surveyor named William Christmas.

Christmas joins early Raleigh folks like Joel Lane and Isaac Hunter as founding fathers of the City of Oaks — before Raleigh was Raleigh, the area was a collection of colonial settlements. Hunter and Lane purchased wide swaths of farmland where they operated taverns and other businesses for central NC travelers — they called the area Wake Crossroads.

In 1792, a commission of state representatives purchased 1,000 acres of this land from Lane to create a central state capital. Later that year, Christmas — then a Franklin County senator — was chosen to draft a plan for the capital city.

This early plan was a grid system of 254 one-acre lots and five larger lots to become green spaces and state buildings. Two of these green spaces, Nash Square and Moore Square, still stand as outdoor havens in the middle of the city. Caswell Square is now home to more state buildings like the NC Department of Public Safety, and Burke Square is home to the NC Executive Mansion, the governor’s residence.

On Dec. 31, 1792, Raleigh was officially established as a city and the state’s capital, and Christmas’ plan was set in motion. The grid created by Christmas is still shaping Raleigh streets today.

Learn more about the history of Raleigh’s map through the NC Museum of History’s Capital Cartography digital exhibit, the Joel Lane Museum House, and The Cultural Landscape Foundation.

Events

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vegas Golden Knights | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $30-$285 | Watch the Canes hit the ice against the Golden Knights.
Sparkling Wine Class | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 7:15-8:30 p.m. | The Wine Feed, 602 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | $40 | Learn more about sparkling wines like cava, Champagne, and prosecco, like how they’re made and what to pair them with.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

‘The 1940’s Radio Hour’ | Wednesday, Dec. 20-Sunday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Theatre Raleigh, 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh | $32-$45 | This award-winning play includes music from the ‘40s and musical characters.
Mindful Museum: Winter Slow Art Appreciation | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 6-7 p.m. | NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | Center yourself before participating in an intentional art observation.

Thursday, Dec. 21

Craig Shoemaker | Thursday, Dec. 21-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary | $22-$72 | Laugh along with this stand-up comedian known for a variety of ‘90s TV shows and movies.
3rd Annual Not-So-Silent Night w/ Chelley & The Slay Bells | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7-10 p.m. | The Long Leaf Hotel, 300 N Dawson St., Raleigh | Free entry | This fun + festive night out will feature seasonal bevs, holiday music, and festive vibes without a cover charge.

Friday, Dec. 22

Oakwood24 Run/Walk 24 Hours to Support Recovery | Friday, Dec. 22-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 9 a.m. | Historic Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh | $50 for runners | This 24-hour run benefits addiction recovery center Healing Transitions — register for six, 12, and 24-hour time slots or a new relay to help raise money for those facing addiction.
Designed for Joy Christmas Pop-up | Friday, Dec. 22-Sunday, Dec. 24 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Designed For Joy, 4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave., Ste. 102, Raleigh | Free | Pop in to this pop-up to shop handbags, charcuterie boards, and jewelry for a good cause.

Plan out your week

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

Gussie’s on West Morgan Street is now open with soft hours Wednesday through Sunday. Pop into this stylish neighborhood space for bites, brews, and libations like house-made sodas and inventive cocktails.

Art

The NC Museum of Art now has a Pablo Picasso painting on display. The 1952 piece, “Seated Woman, Red and Yellow Background,” is on display in the West Building and was promised to the museum in 2010. This painting also joins the museum’s collection near the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death. (INDY Week)

Coming Soon

Triangle-based smoothies + acai bowl food truck Buoy Bowls will open a Morgan Street Food Hall location in early 2024. The superfood spot will use an outdoor space at the food hall and serve the usual favorites and new menu additions.

Seasonal

If you’re tired of watching holiday movies from your couch, head to the newly reopened Rialto Theatre for a variety of holiday movies this week. We’re eyeing the three-movie marathon on Thursday.

Legacy

Honor those who have died while homeless in Raleigh with a memorial service on Thursday, Dec. 21, the longest night of the year. The names of each person will be read aloud to remember and contemplate resources for unhoused people in our city. The service will be at 7:15 p.m. at 1420 S. Wilmington St.

Asked

What’s your go-to spot for a slice in Raleigh? We’re creating a list of every pizzeria in the City of Oaks, through thick and thin crust, and we want your help. Submit your favorites + share what makes them special.

Sports

See reigning National Women’s Soccer League MVP Kerolin Nicoli and the NC Courage squad all season long with 2024 season tickets, on sale now starting at $13 per match. Membership perks include exclusive gifts + event invitations, merch discounts, and a whole lot more.*

Seasonal

Looking for a present for a friend who loves to shop local, or want to share a slice of your home with family far away? Here are five gift ideas from Lowes Foods that we would love to receive.*

Shop

🎁 Last minute local gifts

Last minute Raleigh gift guide for everyone you know

A colorful store table with a variety of merchandise.

Check plenty of names off your list with our personalized gift guide. | Photo provided by Edge of Urge

The holidays are approaching fast. If you’re stuck on a gift for that certain someone, here’s our gift guide suggestions on where to start shopping locally — no shipping required.

Your pop culture-obsessed 20-something relative

Edge of Urge, 215 E. Franklin St., Ste. 110 | This hip store is packed with hot brands like Baggu, Jellycat, and trendy makeup + skincare items. Plus, it’s got plenty of Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and more pop icon-inspired merch to stuff a stocking with.

Your favorite Caniac

DECO, 207 S. Salisbury St. | Shop gifts as part of the store’s partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes like ornaments, art prints, candles, and “Puck Yeah” T-shirts.

Your coolest cousin

Munjo Munjo, 20 E. Hargett St. | Buy a cozy City of Oaks sweatshirt for the proudest Raleighite you know — add on a couple custom stickers to decorate laptops, water bottles, and more.

Do you have more ideas for local shopping in Raleigh? Let us know.

The Buy

The Buy 12.19.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

This Adams Apple Company apple butter. It’s made in the USA + you can use it to make these amazing apple butter snickerdoodle cookies Lifestyle and Recipe YouTuber Jessica O’Donohue whipped up (just save a few for Santa).

Share RALtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_21}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Allie

From the editor

I hope my story about William Christmas didn’t mislead you too much, but I figured he would be a fun person to talk about this time of year.

If you’re still curious about Raleigh history, I recommend searching through the now-inactive Goodnight Raleigh. This site was headed by Karl Edward Larson until his death in 2018 — if you’re curious about a plot of land in Raleigh, chances are, Larson + contributors covered its history.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY