History of Cary and the Page-Walker Hotel

Then…

Although settlers had lived in the area for over a hundred years, the beginnings of the town of Cary are traced to 1854 with the arrival of Allison Francis (Frank) Page and the state-owned North Carolina Railroad. An astute businessman, entrepreneur, lumberman, contractor and miller, Page purchased 300 acres of land for $2000. The arrival of a second railroad, the Chatham, in 1868 further stabilized the town.

In 1868 Frank Page built the Page Hotel immediately north of the railroad tracks. The building’s architectural style, French Second Empire, was a rarity in small towns of North Carolina. The architecture and the delicious meals served made the hotel an impressive stop on the railroad.

With Frank Page’s leadership Cary was incorporated in 1871. By 1880 Cary’s population reached 316. Page served as Cary’s first mayor and postmaster. The town was named after Samuel Fenton Cary, a temperance leader and Union general from Ohio. Mr. Page sold the hotel to J. R. Walker in 1884, who continued operation until 1916. The building then was used as a boardinghouse and later as a private residence.

Page and his wife, Catherine Raboteau from Cumberland County, raised eight children in a house located on the site of the present Town Hall. One son, Walter Hines Page, became one of “North Carolina’s most distinguished citizens” when he was appointed ambassador to Great Britain in 1913. In addition to many other great achievements, Walter Hines Page was a leader in the establishment of the school known today as North Carolina State University.

…& Now

Today the Page-Walker Arts & History Center is alive with classes, events, performances, meetings, receptions and exhibitions. The center also supports a fine arts gallery featuring local and regional artists’ works, a library which serves as a resource center for the works of Walter Hines Page, rooms decorated with period furniture, and the original Page Smokehouse and Historic Gardens.

The Page-Walker Arts & History Center, including the Cary Heritage Museum, is open to the public for self-guided tours during public hours. Group tours are available by request.

Cary Heritage Museum at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center

During your visit to the Cary Heritage Museum, experience Cary’s history as the metamorphosis of a railroad village to a high tech community is captured. You will feel the ambience of the Town a century ago as you view a scale model of the village, meet Cary’s founding family, and learn about the Union general from Ohio for whom our Town was named.

A detailed growth chart enables you to see the development of the Cary community from one square mile in 1871 to a forty-two square mile area in the year 2000. A time line, comprised of two and three-dimensional artifacts, provides historic perspective by juxtaposing national and international events with significant happenings in Cary.

Your ideas are welcome! We have developed “Cary-on!,” a study guide for teachers and students who are interested in learning more about Cary. “Cary-osity,” a video depicting the history of Cary, is available to introduce schools, civic organizations and newcomers to the Town. Ongoing programs link the past to the present and help us to imagine the future. Be a part of the Cary Heritage Museum by training to lead tours for children and adults.

For more information, phone (919) 460-4963.

119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC

(919) 460-4963

Page-Walker Hotel