Hidden History

Heather Leah, a fifth-generation Raleighite and professional historian, explores lost history that's often not found in the mainstream history books. For nearly a decade of uncovering Hidden History, she's dug through the State Archives, explored underground tunnels and secret places, interviewed long-time Raleighites for oral histories--and brought the photos and stories to you.


Did you know Raleigh had a NASCAR speedway in the 1950s and the remains of the track are still in the woods near Atlantic Avenue?

Or that the overgrown remains of an old cobblestone tunnel runs beneath downtown Raleigh?

Or that the remains of one of Raleigh's first airplane runways, around a century old, can be found in a little green space between two neighborhoods?

Let's keep Raleigh's memories alive. Have an idea for the our Hidden History segment? Email hleah@wral.com.

Scroll for the latest Hidden History explorations from Raleigh and across North Carolina by WRAL's Hidden Historian Heather Leah.