From its apex at Montfort Hall, the Boylan Heights neighborhood slopes steadily downward toward the east, south, and west. In 1907, in response to this sloping topography, the site was developed into the city's first curvilinear grid, opposing the square grid of streets common to downtown Raleigh's earlier development. The City Council designated Boylan Heights as a historic district in 1984, and there are now 267 homes along the district's twelve streets. The schools consist of Project Enlightenment for pre-elementary education, Wiley Elementary, Daniels Middle School, and Broughton High School.

Neighborhood Design of Boylan Heights

Railroads and institutions serve as boundaries for Boylan Heights, both isolating the neighborhood throughout the past century, yet also preserving its innovative subdivision design by protecting it from intrusion of industrial or commercial uses.
The primary north/south street is South Boylan Avenue, entering at the railroad bridge and running southward in an 'S'-shaped curve until it meets Western Boulevard Extension at the sixth block. This broad, curving promenade provides a focus for the neighborhood and reflects the efforts of it original residents- to establish a place of graceful elegance and spaciousness, cooled by the presence of many trees. Though equal among themselves, other streets in the district were designed to have slightly less grandeur than Boylan. Cutler Street curves parallel to Boylan Avenue one block to the west, while Kinsey and Florence streets define the eastern boundary of the district. The major east/west streets are McCulloch, West Cabarrus, Dorothea Drive, West Lenoir, and West South. The latter two begin as direct east/west connectors, part of the city's original grid, but curve sharply northward around the base of the hill. Additionally, the blocks are bisected by service alleys.

The middle of the southeast quadrant of the property is what was once the Boylan Springs Park, which later became the school site (currently Project Enlightenment). Created as a central feature of the area, its spaciousness and cool shade trees provide an inviting contrast to the density of the street facades in the neighborhood. Currently, DuPont Circle Park, home of The Big Boylan Bash, is the reigning neighborhood park.

Boylan Heights has many irregularly shaped lots, contributable to the curvilinear plan. Although the typical street frontage is 30 to 50 feet with an average lot depth of 130 feet with a 15-30 foot front yard setback, Boylan Avenue's prominence is reinforced by a deeper than average front yard. Front porches found on virtually every residence throughout the district link house to street.

The curving streets create an alluringly slowed pace, inviting residents outdoors to immerse themselves in the variances in visual experiences and elevation. Shade trees, along with crepe myrtles, dogwoods, and lighting fixtures line the street rights-of-way. A multitude of large, mature deciduous and evergreen trees are found in most yards.

The first deeds of sale incorporated clauses requiring adherence to a plan for the arrangement of homes. Architecturally, homes were traditional, subdued and harmonious- an overall style which remains substantially intact today. The predominance of wooden structures, of bungalows and vernacular classical and colonial revival homes ranging from substantial to modest, reflects a middle class of 1907 that was both traditional and upwardly socially mobile.

Events in Boylan Heights

Each May brings a ceremony and potluck honoring any and all graduates in the neighborhood, from kindergarten through college. Also in May, there is a Memorial Day Picnic, a potluck event usually held at Project Enlightenment. The Big Boylan Bash is August's blow-out block party at Dupont Circle Park, complete with live music, children’s activities, and a potluck dinner. Yet another neighborhood summer event is the annual Labor Day Picnic potluck at Project Enlightenment. Be sure to hone your carving skills for Halloween's Pumpkin Glow, when neighbors take their lit jack-o-lanterns to the Boylan Heights bridge after trick-or-treating. 'Tis the season- for art! The first Sunday in December brings ArtWalk, during which art produced by neighbors and friends is shown and sold on porches, in front parlors, and in studios.

Boylan Heights Businesses

www.713communications.com
Boylan Heights resident Lea Davis, and her business partner David Newton, have nearly thirty years experience crafting and executing communications services and programs for clients in the retail, healthcare, education, and technology sectors. Contact: 919-949-5494 voice 425-944-4253 fax lea@713communications.com

The Communications Group, Inc.
The Communications Group (CG) has a 20 year history of creating successful programming for broadcast and non-broadcast. Producer/President Jay Spain has made his home in Boylan Heights since 1984. 919-828-4086 CGFilm@aol.com

Education and Training

www.interplaync.org
Tom Henderson and Ginny Going - Let InterPlay's easy, affirming practices help you flourish as a mover, vocalist and teller of your own life. 400 S. Boylan
919-821-3723.

Chin-Wu Athletic Association
Traditional martial arts school, 655 W. Lenoir St., offering Yang Style Tai Chi, Hung Gar (Tiger-Crane) Kung Fu, and other Oriental disciplines. For info for all levels & ages, including Beginner's courses and public safety events, call 919-834-2505 or RTWdesigns@aol.com

Electrical

GUTH SOUND & ELECTRICAL SERVICE, Inc.
Steve Guth - All types of electrical wiring and repairs. 24 hour emergency service including bucket truck. State licensed and fully insured. Located in Boylan Heights since 1983. 1115 W. Lenoir St. 919-821-4884

Entertainment and Arts

AUTONOMY 2 Gallery & Studios
Working studio of artist Gayle Stott Lowry and exhibition gallery featuring her paintings and occasional shows by other established and emerging artists. 1201 Lenoir St. Phone 919-829-0709

Bosetti Art Tile
Marina Bosetti creates her bas-relief murals by hand using stoneware clay. Each relief tile is hand painted using glazes. 1201 W Lenoir St. Phone 919-414-8950 info@bosettiarttile.com

Boylan Heights Silver Restoration
Restoration of antique and contemporary sterling, silver plate, brass, and pewter. Includes repair of disposal-damaged flatware, dented hollowware, broken handles, feet and finials on hollowware, candelabras, dresser sets, etc. Offering hand or machine polishing to suit your tastes. Call 919-649-7922. 301-C Kinsey St., next to Antfarm.

www.eidolondesigns.com
Mike Parker & Ann Cowperthwaite with Frank Ritzman design and create sculpture and furniture. 414 Dupont Circle 919-833-5117.

GILL STUDIO
Mark Gill - Custom Stained and Leaded Glass Mosaics.1104 W. Cabarrus. 919-821-1122.

www.offtherecordbook.com
This is a site for a novel written by Boylan Heights resident David Menconi, music critic at the News & Observer. It's called "Off The Record," a roman ´a clef set in the music industry.

Boylan Heights Restaurants

Capital Ice Market and Grill
601 West South Street. Corner of W. South & South Saunders. 919-821-5555

Moonlight Pizza
615 W Morgan St. -- Now open for lunch Monday thru Saturday. Restaurant Hours:
11 to 3 Monday, 11 to Closing Tuesday thru Saturday, 5 pm to closing Sunday, Closed Monday night. Phone: 919-755-9133. www.zspotlight.com/moonlightpizza

Boylan Heights Photos

Share your pictures of Boylan Heights: Email them to photos@downtownraleighnc.org