Holly Hill History

I love a good story.

I am Ross Lackey. My family is my wife and partner Tiffany, and our two girls named Florence and Mary. I was brought earthside by Scots-Irish protestants further up the ridge from here. At the high point of the railroad between Charlotte and Raleigh. Here and now is the beginning of 2023 in Whynot, NC. . On the north side of the Fayetteville-Salem road or also know as the pottery highway (NC 705). This past summer we became responsible for 16 beautiful acres. This land straddles the yadkin-pee dee and the cape fear watersheds. This post will serve as an introduction and will be the first of many posts about the stories of the land and the community.

I am eager to hear the many stories that comprise the history of this place. I’ve heard some pieces of the story over the past year. I know some facts, but I can tell you there is a lot I don’t know. Here is a bit of what I know: Nell Cole Graves and her husband Philmore built the home sometime between 1938 and 1946. The county website says 1946 but in the stairwell leading to the basement, you can see where Philmore and some of Nell’s brother tagged the underside of the steps with their names and initials. Also in the writing is the date 1938. Nell and Philmore lived in the home they built until Philmore passed away in 1976. They operated a candle business here for many years.

I am not the authority on the history of these people or this place. I am a newcomer, a young seedling growing in the shade of the giant oaks. I will share their story to the best of my ability. If you know parts of this history and wish to tell some history please contact us.

This post will be the first of many that will share the history of our farm and the community.

Spiral Upward,

Ross