Mordecai Place Historic District

Mordecai Place Historic District is a residential area in Raleigh containing approximately 180 buildings from the early 1900s to mid-1900s, combining Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Italian Renaissance Revival styles. The area sits within boundaries marked by North Blount Street, Courtland Drive, Old Wake Forest Road, and Mordecai Drive.

The site originated as plantation land with a main house built in 1785 and transformed into a residential community beginning in 1916. The construction of homes represented Raleigh's suburban growth movement that attracted prosperous families seeking new neighborhoods.

The neighborhood showcases residential architecture built between 1900 and 1950 that shaped local housing preferences and design trends. Homeowners invested in distinctive decorative details and structural styles that reflected their social standing and appreciation for modern craftsmanship.

Walking through the neighborhood is the best way to experience it, as most homes line the streets in accessible patterns. The terrain is relatively flat with adequate sidewalks throughout, making it comfortable for a leisurely stroll.

Within the district sits Mordecai Historic Park, home to the oldest surviving residence in Raleigh still standing on its original ground. This 1785 mansion is one of few structures that has remained unchanged on its original site since the city's early days.