Oakforest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Oakforest
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9958 Seawell Dr., Wake Forest, North Carolina |
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| Area | 6.86 acres (2.78 ha) |
| Built | 1807 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000689 |
| Added to NRHP | 11 June 1998 |
Oakforest is a historic house located in Wake Forest, North Carolina. It is a two-story home built in the Federal and Greek Revival styles. This special house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 11, 1998.
Contents
Discovering Oakforest
Oakforest is a beautiful old home in Wake Forest, North Carolina. It was built a long time ago, in 1807. The house shows off two popular building styles from the past: Federal and Greek Revival.
The home sits on a 6.86-acre (0.03 km2; 0.01 sq mi) piece of land. This land was once part of a much larger 200-acre (0.81 km2; 0.31 sq mi) plantation.
The Story of Oakforest's Land
The story of Oakforest began in the early 1800s. A man named John Smith started building the plantation. His father, Benjamin Smith, gave him the land in 1803.
Records from 1791 show that Benjamin Smith was granted a 51-acre (0.21 km2; 0.08 sq mi) tract of land. This land later became part of the Oakforest property.
What Makes Oakforest Special?
Even though modern houses now surround it, Oakforest feels like a step back in time. It's a special place with a lot of history. The property still has three original buildings from the old plantation.
These buildings include the main Oakforest house itself. There is also a smokehouse from the mid-1800s. An old corn crib from the early 1800s is also still standing.
Natural Beauty and Unique Features
The land around Oakforest is gently sloped and open. A small stream runs through it, bordered by wild plants. Old trees and boxwood bushes from the mid-1800s add to the old-fashioned feel.
One very unique part of Oakforest is its American boxwood allee. This is a long path lined with boxwood plants. It marks where the original front driveway used to be. People believe these boxwoods were planted before the American Civil War. They can be seen in the oldest known photo of the house, taken in 1886.
A Local Landmark
In 2008, the Town of Wake Forest recognized Oakforest as a local historic landmark. This means it's an important part of the town's history.
There is also a small cemetery on the property. It is the resting place for members of the family who once lived in the house.
