Downtown Raleigh — a couple of concentrated blocks with a lot of construction and a few tall buildings.

Behind this less-than-impressive facade, though, is a city steeped in rich history, according to Erin Callis, the assistant site manager of Mordecai Historic Park. She said it is a history many Raleigh residents are unfamiliar with.

“I doubt many people know even when the city was founded, or how it was founded,” Callis said.

Matt Alston, a senior in civil engineering, said he thought the trolley ride was an interesting experience.

“It’s a pretty good way to learn about the city, if that’s what you’re interested in,” Alston said. “The stuff they said about the capitol [building] was pretty cool. I didn’t know it burned down [during construction].”

Alston said it was something he would suggest to other students.

“I learned a lot I didn’t know, and I’m glad I took the ride,” he said.

According to Callis, Brenda McClain, who still works as a tour guide at Mordecai, recognized the need for showcasing the city’s past 15 years ago. She thought a trolley tour would be the best way to do it.

“She saw a need for the [trolley] in this city, as other cities have trolley tours,” Callis said.

Callis herself helped initiate the historic Raleigh trolley tour along with McClain, and said it is a great way to learn about the history of the city and all the different historic sites.

Humble, hopeful beginnings

Raleigh was conceived in 1792 by a man named Joel Lane who sold 1,000 acres of raw land to the state, 400 of which were meant specifically to be used as land for the city.

New Bern was the state capital at the time of the city’s construction. Raleigh was planned as the replacement from the get-go. It was modeled after Philadelphia — the United States capital at the time of Raleigh’s construction.

Advertisements, which promised each buyer one lot upon which to build a home and another lot to start a business, were put in newspapers to draw people to the city.

Things you’ll see along the way

Blount Street

Blount Street used to be prime real estate for those looking to build a home in Raleigh in the early 1800s.

Also on Blount Street, the governor’s mansion dons a Victorian style of architecture, and its eight-year construction from 1883 to 1891 was completed by prison labor.

The lieutenant governor’s house on Blount Street exemplifies the wrap-around porches that were status symbols in the 1800s when it was constructed.

Capitol Building

During its original construction in 1831 the capitol building burned to the ground. This prompted builders to change their original plans for its completion. The builders decided to avoid a second building burning by using gneiss granite, found in Raleigh, to finish the capitol’s construction. The granite proved solid and has maintained its structural integrity since the day it was completed.

According to Callis, the capitol building is a great place for people of all ages to visit when looking for a little historical education.

“The capitol building is a really great place that students and adults alike can go and learn about Raleigh’s past,” Callis said. “They do a wonderful job of giving tours consistently and also of providing educational programs for students and adults.”

Other sites along the way

Other historic sites on the tour include the warehouse district off Morgan Street, which used to be used for railway freight, but now is home to various galleries and other businesses.

The trolley also passes areas ranging from those of political importance, like the Democratic Party Headquarters, to religious sites like the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, to educational sites like The museums of Natural History and Natural Sciences.

The tour even showcases some of downtown Raleigh’s well-known eateries, such as Snoopy’s and Raleigh’s original Krispy Kreme.