County Past
Home › North Carolina › Wake County

Wake County, North Carolina

Historic newspapers, landmarks, and county history layers for genealogists and local historians.

—newspaper titles
—digitized titles
227historic places
—earliest paper
1771formed
1,129,410pop. 2020
45cemeteries
—CW battlefields

At a glance

Summary

The National Register of Historic Places includes 227 listed properties in the county, first listed in 1970; 3 are also National Historic Landmarks. Most listings are in or near Raleigh, Wake Forest, Apex.

Summary generated automatically from the source data on this page.

Newspapers

Library of Congress

Newspaper directory data for North Carolina is not yet loaded on this site. Browse Wake titles at the Library of Congress.

National Register of Historic Places

NPS NRHP

108 of 227 listings mapped; some locations are restricted by NPS to protect sensitive sites.

227 listed properties
PropertyCityTypeListed
Adams-Edwards HouseRaleighBuilding2006
Agriculture BuildingRaleighBuilding1976
Andrews-Duncan HouseRaleighBuilding1972
Apex City HallApexBuilding1985
Apex Historic DistrictApexDistrict1994
Apex Historic District (Boundary Increase II)ApexDistrict2008
Apex Historic District (Boundary Increase)ApexDistrict2002
Apex Historic District (Boundary Increase)ApexDistrict1995
Apex Union DepotApexBuilding1988
Arndt, G. Dewey and Elma, HouseRaleighBuilding2011
Avera, Dr. Thomas H., HouseWendellBuilding2003
Bailey-Estes HouseWake ForestBuilding2010
Barbee, George and Neva, HouseZebulonBuilding2007
Battery Heights Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2011
Beaver DamKnightdaleBuilding1987
Ben-Wiley HotelFuquay-VarinaBuilding1997
Blalock, Dr. Nathan M., HouseRaleighBuilding2005
Bloomsbury Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2002
Boylan ApartmentsRaleighBuilding2007
Boylan HeightsRaleighDistrict1985
Briggs Hardware BuildingRaleighBuilding1973
Bunn, Bennett, PlantationZebulonBuilding1986
Cameron Park (Additional Documentation)RaleighDistrict1985
Cameron Village Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2011
Cannady-Brogden FarmCreedmoorBuilding2001
Capehart HouseRaleighBuilding1975
Capital Club BuildingRaleighBuilding1985
Capitol Area Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict1978
Capitol Heights Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2011
Caraleigh MillsRaleighBuilding2001
Carolina Coach Garage and ShopRaleighBuilding2009
Carolina Power and Light Company Car Barn and Automobile GarageRaleighBuilding1997
Carpenter Historic DistrictCaryDistrict2000
Cary Historic DistrictCaryDistrict2001
Chavis, John, Memorial ParkRaleighDistrict2016
Christ Church NHLRaleighBuilding1970
Christ Episcopal Church NHLRaleighBuilding1987
City CemeteryRaleighDistrict2008
Crabtree Creek Recreational Demonstration AreaRaleighDistrict1995
Curtis, William A., HouseRaleighBuilding2008
Davis-Adcock StoreWilbonBuilding2006
Depot Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2002
Depot Historic District (Boundary Increase)RaleighDistrict2017
Dix HillRaleighDistrict1990
Dodd-Hinsdale HouseRaleighBuilding1971
Downtown Garner Historic DistrictGarnerDistrict1989
Downtown Wake Forest Historic DistrictWake ForestDistrict2002
DuBois, W. E. B., SchoolWake ForestBuilding1993
East Raleigh-South Park Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict1990
EdenwoodGarnerBuilding1993
ElmwoodRaleighBuilding1975
Estey HallRaleighBuilding1973
Fadum HouseRaleighBuilding1993
Falls of the Neuse Manufacturing CompanyFallsBuilding1983
Fayetteville Street Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2008
Federal BuildingRaleighBuilding1971
Forestville Baptist ChurchForestvilleBuilding1984
Free Church of the Good ShepherdRaleighBuilding2008
Fuquay Mineral SpringFuquay-VarinaSite1986
Fuquay Springs High SchoolFuquay-VarinaBuilding2002
Fuquay Springs Historic DistrictFuquay--VarinaDistrict1996
Fuquay Springs Historic District (Boundary Increase)Fuquay VarinaDistrict2014
Fuquay Springs TeacherageFuquay--VarinaBuilding2005
Fuquay-Varina Woman's Club ClubhouseFuquay-VarinaBuilding2007
Glen Royall Mill Village Historic DistrictWake ForestDistrict1999
GlenwoodRaleighDistrict1985
Glenwood-Brooklyn Historic District (Boundary Increase and Decrease)RaleighDistrict2002
Graves-Fields HouseRaleighBuilding2021
Green Level Historic DistrictCaryDistrict2001
Green, Herman, HouseRaleighBuilding2003
Green-Hartsfield HouseRolesvilleBuilding1989
Grosvenor Gardens ApartmentsRaleighBuilding1992
Hall, Rev. Plummer T., HouseRaleighBuilding2002
Harmony PlantationWendellBuilding2008
Harris, Harwell Hamilton and Jean Bangs, House and OfficeRaleighBuilding2010
Hawkins-Hartness HouseRaleighBuilding1972
Hayes Barton Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2002
Haywood HallRaleighBuilding1970
Haywood, Dr. Hubert Benbury and Marguerite Manor, House (Additional Documentation)RaleighBuilding1995
Haywood, Richard B., HouseRaleighBuilding1970
Heartsfield-Perry FarmRolesvilleBuilding2003
Heck-Andrews HouseRaleighBuilding1972
Heck-Lee, Heck-Wynne, and Heck-Pool HousesRaleighBuilding1973
Henderson, Isabelle Bowen, House and GardensRaleighDistrict1989
Hi-Mount Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2011
Holleman, Samuel Bartley, HouseNew HillBuilding2008
Holly Springs Masonic LodgeHolly SpringsBuilding2010
Hood-Anderson FarmEagle RockDistrict1999
Ivey, Rufus J., HouseRaleighBuilding2006
Ivey-Ellington HouseCaryBuilding2008
J. S. Dorton ArenaRaleighBuilding1973
Johnson, J. Beale, HouseFuquay-VarinaBuilding1991
Johnson, Kemp B., HouseFuquay--VarinaBuilding2005
Jones Jr., Nathaniel, HouseRaleighBuilding1973
Jones, Alpheus, HouseRaleighBuilding1975
Jones, Dr. Calvin, HouseWake ForestBuilding2016
Jones, Nancy, HouseCaryBuilding1984
Jones-Johnson-Ballentine Historic DistrictFuquay-VarinaDistrict1990
Kamphoefner, Henry L., HouseRaleighBuilding1996
Knight, Henry H. and Bettie S., FarmKnightdaleDistrict1988
Lane, Joel, HouseRaleighBuilding1970
Lane-Bennett HouseRaleighBuilding1983
Latta, Rev. M.L., HouseRaleighBuilding2002
Lawrence, Calvin Wray, HouseApexBuilding2008
Lawrence, Dr. Elmo N., HouseRaleighBuilding2005
Lea LaboratoryWake ForestBuilding1975
Leslie-Alford-Mims HouseHolly SpringsBuilding1997
Lewis-Smith HouseRaleighBuilding1972
Longview Gardens Historic District (Additional Documentation)RaleighDistrict2011
Lumsden-Boone BuildingRaleighBuilding1983
Madonna Acres Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2010
Mahler and Carolina Trust BuildingsRaleighBuilding2000
Maiden Lane Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2006
Mangum, James, HouseCreedmoreBuilding1974
Marshall-Harris-Richardson HouseRaleighBuilding1986
Mary Elizabeth HospitalRaleighBuilding2009
Masonic Temple BuildingRaleighBuilding1979
Masonic Temple BuildingRaleighBuilding1984
Matsumoto HouseRaleighBuilding1994
Meadowbrook Country ClubGarnerDistrict2009
Merrimon-Wynne HouseRaleighBuilding2014
Midway Plantation House and OutbuildingsKnightdaleBuilding2007
Montford HallRaleighBuilding1978
Moore Square Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict1983
Mordecai HouseRaleighBuilding1970
Mordecai Place Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict1998
Mordecai Place Historic District (Boundary Increase)RaleighBuilding2000
Morrisville Christian ChurchMorrisvilleBuilding2012
Mount Hope CemeteryRaleighDistrict2009
Mutschler, William and Barbara, HouseWake ForestBuilding2023
New Hill Historic DistrictNew HillDistrict2001
Norburn TerraceRaleighBuilding1980
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station CottageRaleighBuilding2001
North Carolina Executive MansionRaleighBuilding1970
North Carolina School for the Blind and Deaf DormitoryRaleighBuilding1976
North Carolina State Capitol NHLRaleighBuilding1970
North Carolina State Fair Commercial & Education BuildingsRaleighBuilding1987
O'Kelly, Berry, Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2017
Oak Grove CemeteryRaleighSite2018
Oak ViewRaleighDistrict1991
OakforestWake ForestBuilding1998
Oakwood Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict1974
Oakwood Historic District (Boundary Increase II)RaleighDistrict1988
Oakwood Historic District (Boundary Increase III)RaleighDistrict1989
Oakwood Historic District (Boundary Increase)RaleighDistrict1987
Oaky GroveShotwellBuilding1993
Oberlin CemeteryRaleighSite2018
Occidental Life Insurance Company BuildingRaleighBuilding2003
Odd Fellows BuildingRaleighBuilding1997
Page, Williamson, HouseMorrisvilleBuilding2012
Page-Walker HotelCaryBuilding1979
Panther Branch SchoolRaleighBuilding2001
Paschal HouseRaleighBuilding1994
Peace College Main BuildingRaleighBuilding1973
Penny, Jesse, House and OutbuildingsRaleighBuilding2002
Perry FarmRiley HillBuilding1994
Pilot MillRaleighDistrict1989
Pine HallRaleighBuilding2006
Pine Street Creamery, (Former)RaleighBuilding1997
Polk, Leonidas L., HouseRaleighBuilding1977
Poole, Wayland E., HouseAuburnBuilding2003
Pope, Dr. M.T., HouseRaleighBuilding1999
Powell HouseWake ForestBuilding1974
Professional BuildingRaleighBuilding1983
Pugh HouseMorrisvilleBuilding2014
Pullen Park CarouselRaleighStructure1976
Purefoy-Chappell House and OutbuildingsWake ForestBuilding2008
Purefoy-Dunn PlantationWake ForestDistrict1988
Purefoy-Dunn Plantation (Boundary Decrease)Wake ForestDistrict1997
Raleigh Banking and Trust Company BuildingRaleighBuilding1993
Raleigh Bonded WarehouseRaleighBuilding2006
Raleigh Electric Company Power HouseRaleighBuilding1997
Raleigh National CemeteryRaleighSite1997
Raleigh Water TowerRaleighBuilding1971
Raleigh Water Works and E.B. Bain Water Treatment PlantRaleighBuilding1999
Raleigh, Sir Walter, HotelRaleighBuilding1978
Riley Hill SchoolWendellBuilding2001
Ritcher HouseRaleighBuilding1994
Roanoke Park Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2003
Rochester Heights Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2011
Rock Cliff FarmWake ForestDistrict2007
Rogers-Bagley-Daniels-Pegues HouseRaleighBuilding1979
Rogers-Whitaker-Haywood HouseWake CrossroadsBuilding1985
Rothstein, Mae and Philip, HouseRaleighBuilding2005
Royal Baking CompanyRaleighBuilding1997
Royall Cotton Mill CommissaryWake ForestBuilding1991
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company Office BuildingRaleighBuilding1971
Small HouseRaleighBuilding1994
Small, G. Milton, and Associates, Office BuildingRaleighBuilding1994
Smith, Frank and Mary, HouseWillow SpringBuilding2003
Smith, Turner and Amelia, HouseWillow SpringBuilding2005
South Brick HouseWake ForestBuilding2014
Spring HillRaleighBuilding1983
St. Ambrose Episcopal ChurchRaleighBuilding2019
St. Augustine's College Campus (Additional Documentation)RaleighDistrict1980
St. Mary's ChapelRaleighBuilding1970
St. Mary's CollegeRaleighDistrict1978
St. Matthews SchoolRaleighBuilding2001
St. Paul A.M.E. ChurchRaleighBuilding1987
State Bank of North CarolinaRaleighBuilding1970
State Capitol Holiday InnRaleighBuilding2026
Stevens, Wayland H. and Mamie Burt, HouseFuquay VarinaBuilding2014
SunnysideWendellBuilding2001
Thompson HouseWake ForestBuilding2005
Tucker Carriage HouseRaleighBuilding1975
Tucker, Garland Scott and Toler Moore, HouseRaleighBuilding2014
Turner, John T. and Mary, HouseRaleighBuilding2002
Utley-Council HouseApexBuilding2002
Vanguard Park Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2003
Varina Commercial Historic DistrictFuquay-VarinaDistrict1990
Wachovia Building Company Contemporary Ranch HouseRaleighBuilding2014
Wake Forest Historic DistrictWake ForestDistrict2003
Wakefield Dairy ComplexWake ForestBuilding2003
WakefieldsWake ForestBuilding1974
Wakelon SchoolZebulonBuilding1976
Walnut Hill Cotton GinKnightdaleBuilding1986
Walnut Hill Historic DistrictKnightdaleDistrict2000
Washington Graded and High SchoolRaleighBuilding2005
Welles, Paul and Ellen, HouseRaleighBuilding2009
Wendell Boulevard Historic DistrictWendellDistrict2009
Wendell Commercial Historic DistrictWendellDistrict1998
West Raleigh Historic DistrictRaleighDistrict2003
White-Holman HouseRaleighBuilding1971
Wyatt, Leonidas R., HouseRaleighBuilding1990
Yates MillRaleighBuilding1970
Young, Dr. Lawrence Branch, HouseRolesvilleBuilding2003
Zebulon Historic DistrictZebulonDistrict2022

Source: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Property links open NRHP nomination files at the National Archives.

County formation

Newberry AHCB

Wake was formed in 1771 (1771-03-12) from Cumberland, Johnston, Orange.

WAKE created from CUMBERLAND, JOHNSTON, and ORANGE.

Source: Newberry Library, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

Population by decade

Census

Wake County population from 1790 to 2020 (Census historical series).

1.1M570k10k179018001840188019101920196020002020
17901800182018401860188019001920194019501960198020002020
10,19213,43720,10221,11828,62747,93954,62675,155109,544136,450169,082301,327627,8461,129,410

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau historical county population (Forstall 1790–1990) and public-domain / CC0 county population series through 2020.

Cemeteries & historical places

USGS GNIS

45 cemeteries and 4 historical populated places (ghost towns / former settlements) recorded in USGS GNIS for this county.

Cemeteries — 45 of 45 listed
NameLatLon
Apex Cemetery35.72912-78.85608
Bagwell Cemetery35.728-78.55385
Brier Creek Memorial Gardens35.90841-78.77313
Carolina Biblical Gardens35.73571-78.60417
Doub Cemetery35.74071-78.43604
Franklin Cemetery35.73762-78.74281
Greenlawn Memorial Gardens35.60627-78.8064
Hill Crest Cemetery35.77957-78.78573
Hilliard Cemetery35.72237-78.59389
Jeridan Cemetery35.66821-78.72834
Jones Cemetery35.70279-78.7401
Macedonia Cemetery35.74572-78.69776
Mitchiner Cemetery35.67293-78.60306
Montlawn Memorial Park35.73848-78.6466
Morgan Cemetery35.66262-78.69783
Mount Hope Cemetery35.76459-78.64549
Mount Olivet Cemetery35.8157-78.72139
Oakwood Cemetery35.78671-78.62498
Patrick Cemetery35.73349-78.74512
Penny Cemetery35.60766-78.59945
Pet Rest Memorial Park35.90764-78.77667
Pine Forest Memorial Garden35.98864-78.52145
Pleasant Grove Cemetery35.78015-78.33527
Pleasant Hill Cemetery35.65589-78.71872
Raleigh Memorial Park35.8657-78.71861
Raleigh National Cemetery35.77409-78.62057
Rand Cemetery35.64904-78.65084
Rand Cemetery35.66321-78.60834
Rolesville Baptist Church Cemetery35.93794-78.45574
Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church Columbarium35.74119-78.82171
Sauls Cemetery35.63873-78.61593
Smith Cemetery35.7071-78.54167
Smith Cemetery35.73593-78.48362
Sorrell Cemetery35.65571-78.74834
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Cemetery35.98916-78.52553
Stephens Cemetery35.63932-78.71251
Stephens Cemetery35.74501-78.74161
Stephenson Cemetery35.73207-78.74564
Thomas Cemetery35.74265-78.6975
Turner Cemetery35.62951-78.60686
Wake Forest Cemetery35.98317-78.50617
Wakefield Cemetery35.84848-78.32194
Williams Cemetery35.66654-78.66028
Wilson Cemetery35.68099-78.57862
Womack Cemetery35.65227-78.72663
Historical populated places — 4 of 4
NameLatLon
Barnes35.71238-78.65778
Boushell35.79182-78.58584
Cardenas35.59377-78.77418
Thompson35.79015-78.71473

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System (public domain). Cemeteries from the 2021 NationalFile archive; historical places from GNIS HistoricalFeatures topical extract.

Historical markers

HMdb link

Marker text and photos from the Historical Marker Database (HMdb) are not embedded here. HMdb allows non-commercial reuse with attribution, but commercial/compensated use needs written permission; this is a commercial site, so we only link out.

Search HMdb for Wake County, North Carolina

Terms: hmdb.org/copyright.asp. Linking is encouraged by HMdb.