Wake Forest in Wake County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Wake Forest College Birthplace

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 22, 2023

1. Wake Forest College Birthplace Marker

Inscription. This simple provincial house was built before 1820. For some years it was the home of Dr. Calvin Jones, a founder of the North Carolina Medical Society. major general in the War of 1812 and Grand Master of the Masonic Order in North Carolina. He was for 30 years a trustee of the University of North Carolina.
In 1832 Dr. Jones sold his home and plantation at Wake Forest to the Baptist State Convention. On February 3, 1834, Wake Forest Institute, as it was called until 1838. was opened in the building with an enrollment of 16 students. The dwelling house was used as the residence of the first President of the College. Samuel Wait, and for classroom purposes. The carriage house was used as a chapel. The seven "good substantial log cabins" were used as dormitories.
The house. now on its fourth site, was moved from its original location in the center of the campus in 1835 to make way for "The College Building." and later to a third location on Wingate Street. It is now restored to the 1830 period.

Erected 1963 by Archives and Highway Departments. (Marker Number H-75.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

these topic lists: Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • War of 1812. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1834.

Location. 35° 59.087′ N, 78° 30.485′ W. Marker is in Wake Forest, North Carolina, in Wake County. It is on North Main Street (Alternate U.S. 1) south of East Juniper Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wake Forest NC 27587, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont

and in the Research Triangle.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wake Forest College and Wake Forest University (within shouting distance of this marker); The Calvin Jones House and Plantation (within shouting distance

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 22, 2023

2. Wake Forest College Birthplace Marker

of this marker); The Campus Arch and the Class of 1909 (within shouting distance of this marker); Wake Forest College and the Old Well (within shouting distance of this marker); The Campus Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Unearthed and Risen (within shouting distance of this marker); The Railroad and Depot in Wake Forest (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); C.C. Crittenden (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wake Forest.

Also see . . . Wake Forest College Birthplace Society. (Submitted on August 22, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Calvin Jones House, birthplace of Wake Forest College image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 28, 2026

3. Calvin Jones House, birthplace of Wake Forest College

Dr. Calvin Jones House National Register plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 28, 2026

4. Dr. Calvin Jones House National Register plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on January 28, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.