Most people in the state of North Carolina, and many people nationwide, have heard whispers of a scenic, small, over-populated city-like town named Chapel Hill. Home of the nationally recognized UNC Tar Heels, Chapel Hill is a beautiful, luxurious, upscale environment whose heart beats through the baby-blue blood of the highly prestigious UNC.

Franklin Street is the second thing, next to the university, that rings bells when Chapel Hill is mentioned. The epic nightlife scene lined with bars, clubs and restaurants is the center for partying. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Franklin for the traditional Halloween celebration where the entire street is shut down by the town, allowing the crowd to parade up and down the street with no worry of traffic. Horrific costumes are worn, a guy whose dressed as Spider Man may be so drunk that he actually believes he is in fact, Spider Man, and climb a street light pole.

The biggest parties are “thrown” on Franklin when UNC wins a NCAA basketball or football championship. The street is flooded with people, cars are flipped over and multiple bonfires are set.

Franklin Street is without a doubt a tourist and student attraction, but just over on the back side of the dazzling street is an environment that isn’t so glamorous. Rosemary Street is only an alley away from Franklin, but there’s not much partying going on on it.

According to WRAL.com, a fatal shooting took place on Rosemary Street, outside the then, Avalon nightclub. A 26 year-old man was killed and shot 12 times. Avalon is closed down now.

Also, according to WRAL.com, two groups of men exchanged gunfire in a parking lot on Rosemary Street. The men fled and no one was hurt.

The area surrounding Rosemary Street is a tough one.

“I’ve lived near Rosemary for years. Many people don’t realize how different life is on this side compared to Franklin Street. Most people just think Chapel Hill is a perfect little college-town, but it’s not,” Chapel Hill resident, Jalandous Foushee said.