Are you interested in exploring the history and culture of Jacksonville, North Carolina? If so, you might want to check out the Pelletier House, the only surviving antebellum home in the city. The Pelletier House is a historic home and national historic district located at Old Bridge Street at New River, where you can enjoy the view of the beautiful Wantland Spring. The Pelletier House was built in the 1850s by Rufus Ferrand Pelletier, a successful merchant and postmaster, who gave the house its distinctive Greek Revival style of architecture, with a hipped roof, a central chimney, and a symmetrical facade with six-over-six windows.
The Pelletier House has seen many changes and events in the history of Jacksonville, from the Civil War to the establishment of Camp Lejeune. Rufus Pelletier was Jacksonville’s postmaster in 1856 and from 1873 to 1879, and he may have used the house as the town post office. He also became a magistrate in the 1880s and performed weddings in the front room of the house. Rufus married Joanna Hines in 1863 and their daughter Eliza, born in 1872, was the last resident of the house. She lived there until her death in 1954.
The house was originally a one-room dwelling that served as both home and office for Rufus. He later added a two-room kitchen and dining room wing, separated from the rear of the house by a breezeway. He also added another wing of several rooms to the right side of the house, possibly around the turn of the century. These additions were damaged by fires in the 1950s and were demolished. The house was then acquired by the Onslow County Historical Society, which restored and maintained it until 2013, when Onslow County took over ownership.
The Pelletier House is now open for public viewings on special occasions, such as historical tours and festivals. It is also available for group tours by request. Visitors can learn more about the life and times of Rufus Pelletier and his family, as well as the history of Jacksonville and Onslow County. The house is furnished with period pieces and artifacts that reflect the style and taste of the Pelletiers. The house also features exhibits and displays that showcase the history of Jacksonville’s postal service, turpentine industry, and Civil War involvement.
The Pelletier House is a historic treasure that offers a glimpse into the past of Jacksonville and its people. It is a place where you can admire the beauty and craftsmanship of an antebellum home, as well as the stories and memories that it holds.
I hope you liked reading this blog post about the Pelletier House. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for visiting and come on back! 😊