Cary NC Real Estate

In the 1700s, Cary was known as “Bradford Ordinary,” just a small enclave of pious settlers who kept to themselves. A century later, the railroad brought settlers through the region and philanthropic farmer Allison Francis Page bought a chunk of land surrounding the railway and developed it. Within twenty years, the Page-Walker Hotel was built to accommodate train-riding guests and a general store, bank, saw mill and post office sprouted up. Today you can see this historic hotel still standing at 119 Ambassador Loop on the Town Hall Campus, where it’s been restored as the Page-Walker Arts & History Center. There are art galleries, events, classes, meetings and receptions here, as well as the Cary heritage museum. This is one piece of Cary NC real estate you won’t want to miss!
The second historic property listed in the National Historic Registry is the Nancy Jones House, which served as a tavern and stagecoach stop during Cary’s antebellum period. It’s rumored that President James K Polk even visited here! As the oldest remaining house in Cary real estate, there’s no mistaking the Nancy Jones House as a remarkable architectural creation, with its two-tiered porch, behemoth white pillars and side chimney. For more historic Cary real estate, just take a stroll down the historic Chatham Street.

If browsing isn’t good enough and you want your own piece of historical Cary real estate, you can try the Historic Oakwood neighborhood. Initially developed after the Civil War, Oakwood was considered to be a remote community that was a hike into town, but now it’s conveniently located in central Cary. Moredcai Grove is a recently renovated section of historic Cary real estate in the Oakwood Neighborhood. You can find Second Empire, Classic Revival, Queen Anne and Bungalow style housing here. While most of the lots are narrow, residents fall in love with the large porches, tree-lined streets and large pillars that characterize historic areas.

The Oakwood neighborhood suffered a state of disrepair during the town’s big population boom during the 1970’s, when everyone flocked to newer developments, but has since been restored and repaired, thanks to generous grants and concerned citizens. The area has become a tourist attraction, thanks to the much-anticipated annual December Candlelight Tour. Many visitors also flock to the Confederate Cemetery to read some of the unique markers and contemplate our bloody history. The enormous brick “Executive Mansion”, which has housed North Carolina governors since the 1800s, still stands on Blount Street today and houses town meetings and tours.

Be aware that most developments in the town sprung up in the last one to thirty years and there may be some competition. However, nearby Wake Forest (five miles North of Raleigh) is a plethora of Queen Anne Victorians, Greek Revival and turn-of-the-century bungalows! The Wake County town is registered as an official historic region and Raleigh has a better selection of historic housing. While most Cary NC real estate is well-planned, new and built with close amenities in mind, there are still a few historic relics for those who long for Southern Victorian charm – and you can probably find them at a good price too!

Michael McLaughlin
(919) 741-1441
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