Neighborhoods are more than a mere collection of homes and businesses. They are communities where people experience the world through their connections with neighbors. The lives both lived and lost weave a tapestry over time creates a rich culture, identity, and history.

Raleigh’s Fourth Ward neighborhood was one of these distinctive places. Named for its political voting district, the Fourth Ward was established by newly freed people immediately following the Civil War, lasting until it was ultimately destroyed by urban renewal in the 1970s.

Photo: Photos include recent donations from former residents of the Fourth Ward.