Five Points Historic Neighborhoods

Five Points Historic Neighborhoods is a collection of five residential areas where Glenwood Avenue, Fairview Road, and Whitaker Mill Road meet, featuring architecture from the early 20th century. The neighborhoods of Hayes Barton, Bloomsbury, Georgetown, Vanguard Park, and Roanoke Park together form a residential zone with varied building styles and home types.

The district formed between 1910 and 1920 during Raleigh's second phase of suburban expansion, as the city grew beyond its original boundaries. This growth reflected rising prosperity and improved transportation connections through streetcar lines.

The area became a gathering place for Raleigh's LGBT community starting in the 1950s, with venues like The Mousetrap serving as important social hubs.

The area provides pedestrians with good access to parks, shops, restaurants, and the Rialto Theatre. Walking is practical here since these amenities are located within easy reach of one another.

In 1918, an electric utility company built an amusement park here with a carousel and roller coaster to encourage streetcar usage and electricity consumption. This park was part of an early marketing strategy to promote the adoption of new technologies.