Historic Oak View, human settlement in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
Historic Oak View is a farm property southeast of Raleigh spanning about 27 acres and containing structures from different time periods. The site features a two-story Greek Revival house built in 1855, three barns from around 1900, a water tower, and the county's largest pecan orchard.
The farm was established around 1855 by Benton Southworth Donaldson Williams and operated using enslaved labor for cotton production. After Williams died in 1870, ownership changed several times until the 1980s when local efforts prevented demolition and led to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
The name Oak View references the oak trees that once defined the property, though pecan trees now dominate the landscape. Visitors can observe how families and workers shaped this land over time and how building styles reflect the era in which they were constructed.
The property is open daily from early morning until sunset and features easy walking trails suitable for families and visitors of all ages. Restrooms, picnic areas, and shelter rentals are available for gatherings.
A Farm History Center from 1997 and a relocated tenant house added in 2012 highlight the stories of farm workers and their daily lives, perspectives often overlooked in architectural histories. These structures reveal how ordinary people lived and worked on the land.
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