1897 Poe House

Edgar Allan “E.A.” Poe House, which stands in the historic Haymount Historic District of Fayetteville, North Carolina is not named after the master of American horror stories. It is, in fact, named for the successful businessman, politician, and civic leader who built it between 1896 and 1898.

Locals refer to the one-time resident as “E.A.” in order to avoid confusion with the famous author of the same name. The house is often referred to as the 1897 Poe House in order to dispel confusion, as the author died in 1849.

E.A. Poe was the owner of one of the largest brick-making companies in the area. Ironically, the renowned brickmaker built his own home of wood, creating a Victorian gingerbread house with Eastlake touches. It’s been observed by many visitors that the house feels considerably larger on the inside than it looks on the outside.

Poe lived in the Bradford Avenue home with his wife Josephine Montague Poe and their eight children. A large playhouse stands on the property, very likely the site of many fun afternoons for the Poe progeny. Edgar himself was one of sixteen kids!

Tours of the Poe House cover such topics as women’s roles, Black history, children’s roles, and technological, economic, and social changes in southern North Carolina and the country.

Poe House is part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.