By VALERIE MACON
Imagine wandering through the charming streets of the Fuquay Springs historic district, where every corner reveals a piece of history. This enchanting neighborhood, anchored by the iconic Fuquay Mineral Spring, is a treasure trove of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century architecture. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it boasts an array of beautifully preserved homes that whisper tales of the past. Have you ever dreamed of stepping inside these historic gems and experiencing their elegance firsthand?
On Saturday, December 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club is hosting its sixth biennial Christmas Home Tour, during which you will have the opportunity to walk through eleven of these historic homes fully decked out for Christmas.
To learn more about this event and the history of some of the homes on tour, I met with Ruth Olive, president of the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club; Patty Byrne, tour coordinator and owner of the Wiley Cozart home; and Jessica Kaplar, tour coordinator and owner of the Ballentine-Spence home. Much of the historical information about the homes was provided by Shirley Simmons, director of the Fuquay-Varina History Museums.
The tour is focused in the historic downtown area, covering approximately six blocks that include E. Spring, S. Ennis Street, E. Academy Street, E. Vance Street, S. Aiken Street, and Fuquay Avenue. The homes are conveniently within walking distance of each other, allowing visitors to park their cars and enjoy a leisurely stroll. Featured on the tour are the Wiley Cozart House, the second Fuquay Baptist Church Parsonage, the Mayor Alfred Johnson House, the Dr. Charles Cheek House, the Proctor House, the Vance Street House, the Medlin House, the Bullock House, the Ballentine-Spence House, the Aiken House Porch, and the historic property at 117 East Street. At each stop, a docent will share fascinating historical insights about the property.
Jessica Kaplar says, “If people are curious about the old houses, it gives them an excuse to be curious (and nosey, if you will) in a nice way. Opening them up, I think, encourages people to see the value in preserving our historical homes and our downtown. It is something that is tangible that they can see.”
The Ballentine-Spence House
Paul and Jessica Kaplar, the ninth and current owners of the Ballentine-Spence House, purchased the home in 2017. The original owner, Mr. J. D. Ballentine, served in the 31st Regiment of NC Troops during the Civil War. He played two significant roles in the town: he was the postmaster of Varina, operating the post office (which he named after his wife, Varina) near his home between 1880-1900; he was also a merchant at Varina Mercantile around 1898-99, located in the oldest brick building in town, now a church, across the street from the Mineral Spring.
Jessica shares that The Mission Baptist Church began in the Ballentine House. There was a funeral home attached to the store where they embalmed bodies and made coffins. Due to space constraints, the bodies were laid out for viewing in what is now the front parlor of her home. She also describes a built-in unit that remains in her house, originally used as a communion cabinet, which she now uses as a china hutch.
The Ballantine-Spence house is Victorian with Colonial Revival details and is believed to be among the first homes in the area with electricity and running water. Ballentine also owned one of the first automobiles. Sometime after his death in 1917, the house was purchased by Dan and Mary Spence in 1923.
Jessica admits she is a Christmas fanatic. She listens to Christmas music all year round. In the Ballentine-Spence House, you can expect to see every room in the house trimmed in holiday regalia, including 14 full-sized Christmas trees.
The Wiley Cozart House
Another home on the tour is the Wiley Cozart House, now the charming Mineral Springs Inn owned by John and Patty Byrne. Wiley Cozart, a local doctor, and his wife, Pauline, lived in the Ben Wiley Hotel (named for Wiley and his brother) next door until their house was completed in 1927. Patty shares that Pauline insisted on having closets in the house, even if it meant delaying their move-in by six months. This is why the house, despite its age, has closets. The house also features an attic and a full basement with a heating system. Every Christmas, Patty decorates a huge tree in the parlor with over 600 ornaments.
The Dr. Charles Cheek House
Built in 1923 for Dr. Charles Cheek and his wife, this craftsman bungalow is a true architectural gem. Its wraparound porch, adorned with cut stone pillars, invites you to step back in time. The house boasts impressive oversized twelve-over-one sash windows and a grand twelve-light paneled door that catches the eye. Dr. Cheek, who began practicing medicine in Fuquay Springs around 1913, also served as the town’s mayor from 1929 to 1931. This home not only reflects his prominence in the community but also stands as a testament to the timeless elegance of early 20th-century design.
The Aiken House
In 1909, W. H. Aiken was hired to manage the first tobacco warehouse in Fuquay Springs. His wife, Mary Adams Aiken, insisted on having a home as grand as her family’s in Raleigh before agreeing to the move. Her son, Richard, built a house next door in 1912, where the family lived until the Aikens’ elegant Victorian home was completed. This stunning residence quickly became a hub for social gatherings. Continuing this tradition, the current owners open this grand “ole lady” for special occasions. During the tour, visitors can enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and caroling on the charming Aiken House porch.
History, Tickets, and Good Causes
Ruth Olive proudly highlights the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club’s dedication to preserving history. Established in 1926, the club is gearing up to celebrate its centennial in 2026. Their historic clubhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2007, stands as a testament to their enduring legacy. While the clubhouse itself is not on tour, visitors can stop by on the day of the event to purchase tickets, savor hot chocolate and cookies, and enjoy festive music. It is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the community spirit and holiday cheer!
Tickets for the home tour are $20 each and are currently available on Eventbrite and at Logan’s Garden Hut, K & B Marketplace, and from Woman’s Club members. On the day of the tour, tickets will also be sold at the Mineral Spring Inn, and as mentioned above, at the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club Clubhouse located at 607 N. Ennis Street, Fuquay-Varina.
Proceeds from the Christmas home tour will support the many outreach projects of the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club, which address the arts, education, environment, health, and civic service in our community, as well as supporting the National Woman’s Club’s initiatives.
Ruth adds, “The reason for the season should make us all happy. And this [event] is getting us all in the Christmas spirit already. We’re so excited for the causes that we are able to support through this, and that just makes it even more joyful for me.”
