Built in 1907 for tobacconist William Carr (1867-1930), a principal in the firm of Cozart, Eagles and Carr, the operators of the Centre Brick Tobacco Warehouse, this large, two-story frame residence is a handsome example of the large Colonial Revival houses that were building in the Whitehead Place neighborhood in the early twentieth century. Carr died in 1930 and his widow, Sallie H. Carr resided here until the early 1960’s.

Designed by Wilson architect Solon Balias Moore (1872-1930), the two bay-by-bay house is crowned by a slate-covered hip roof with dormers that is broken by slightly projecting bays on the front (southeast) and side elevations. Of note are the squat pilasters that flank the dormers’ windows. The wrap-around porch is carried by pillars on brick pedestals, has a turned balustrade, and shelters the central entrance with beveled glass sidelights and transom. The one-over-one sash windows retain their original louvered shutters. Completing the house are interior end brick chimneys with banded stacks and corbelled caps and an enlarged two-story rear ell, porch, and shed rooms.

The spacious interior is equally well-appointe in the Colonial Revival style. Its large entrance hall contains the impressive closed stringer stair with turned balusters, has traditional moldings and a paneled wainscot, and a raised Tuscan column hall screen. Large, double sliding doors lead to the front parlor which contains a handsome Adamesque Colonial mantel. The rear stairs also have a closed stringer with turned balusters, but is more modest than the front stairs.

There are two outbuildings: a gable-roofed smokehouse with returning boxed cornice and exterior end chimney and an enlarged two-car frame garage.

 The house has wood floors, high ceilings and six fireplaces once used to burn coal. There are four bedrooms upstairs along with a full bath. The downstairs is spacious with a formal dining room, front parlor, full bath, den, study, kitchen and bonus room. Central air and heat has been installed on the first floor. Many unique architectural features still remain.

The house qualifies for the Historic Tax Credits available in North Carolina. This house is conveniently located within walking distance to Barton College and the downtown commercial district. Wilson is a quaint southern town with a population of 50,000. Wilson’s location is 40 minutes to Raleigh, an hour to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, two hours to the beach and five hours to the mountains.