Dorothea Dix Raleigh, NC

During the 1800s, the mentally ill had a strong voice in Dorothea Dix. She visited North Carolina in 1848 to advocate for better care of the mentally ill. The State Medical Society was formed the following year, and the capital city of Raleigh was chosen for the hospital, Dix Hill, which opened in 1856. The original property covered 2,354 acres. Over time, pieces were sold or given away -- a large chunk of land was donated to NC State for its Centennial Campus in 1984. The hospital closed in 2008, and by 2015, Raleigh officially acquired the remaining 308 acres for the creation of a park. Today, Dorothea Dix Park is at the heart of the Dorothea Dix neighborhood, hosting community events and serving as a gathering place for the neighborhood.

The Dorothea Dix neighborhood begins along I-40 and extends north to Western Boulevard. Situated on the southwest side of Downtown Raleigh, Dorothea Dix is perfectly located to the heart of the city and to NC State, which is on the northwest side of the neighborhood. Dorothea Dix is also the location of the State Farmers Market, situated near the intersection of Centennial Parkway and Lake Wheeler Road. This popular farmers market is open all week year-round, with a farmers building that covers 30,000 square feet and the Market Shoppes, an enclosed building covering 15,600 square feet. Other buildings include the Wholesale Terminal, the Truckers Building, and Market Imports. The market also offers three on-site restaurants.