Briggs Hardware Building

The Briggs Hardware Building, constructed in 1874 in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, is a historic four-story structure known as Raleigh's first 'skyscraper.' Originally built to house a family-owned hardware store, it remained the tallest building in the city for 33 years. Today, it houses the City of Raleigh Museum and showcases mid-to-late 19th-century architectural styles, including high Victorian Gothic and Italianate influences. The building's intriguing history includes a legend about its founder, Thomas Briggs, who allegedly buried Confederate money to protect it from Union soldiers. Visitors can explore its preserved interiors, which feature original wooden floors and a unique skylight that illuminates the building's interior.