This five-acre museum opened its doors in 2002. It includes the McLauchlin-McFadyen House from 1905, as well as an antique fire truck and emergency equipment from 1921, an antique doll building, one-room schoolhouses and country stores.
Raeford thrived during its railroad town era and its architecture and commercial buildings reflect this vibrancy and excitement; many houses feature exuberant Queen Anne designs.
The McLauchlin-McFadyen House
The McLauchlin-McFadyen House is an exquisite example of Neoclassical Revival architecture and one of the museum’s most captivating homes. Restored and donated to us in Spring 2015 by local entrepreneur Richard Neeley who owns The Store across from FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital Hoke campus, it can now be enjoyed by visitors with tours available upon request.
Raeford Historic District buildings represent a wide array of architectural styles and vernacular forms prevalent during its period of significance in South-Central North Carolina railroad towns from 1897 until 1911 when Raeford became an incorporated city. It demonstrates Raeford’s evolution from being an isolated railroad stop with flourishing schools (Raeford Institute) into a commercial and residential hub rooted in agriculture, small-town commerce, and ultimately industrialization.
Raeford Historic District contains two blocks of early twentieth-century brick commercial buildings and residences dating from the early twentieth century, reflecting its development from an agricultural community that transitioned towards small town commerce during the 1910s. Two gas stations built between 1930s and 1950s in this district also symbolize changing significance of automobile travel as mode of transportation while simultaneously showing that an established local economy focused around farming, textiles and manufacturing still thrives today.
The Parker-Ray House
The Parker-Ray House is one of two Colonial homes at a museum established to increase public awareness of local history. Boasting a Neoclassical Revival style design and situated on five acres, it also includes dollhouse, schoolhouse, country store and genealogy room features.
Louis Parker was a farmer from Cumberland who relocated his family to Hoke County around 1899 after becoming attracted by its land and people, ultimately leading them to establish Raeford as their new home.
David Parker Ray, known later as the Toy Box Killer, abducted and tortured Cynthia Vigil. Once Vigil had escaped, Angelica Montano came forward with her account of Ray and Hendy targeting prostitutes by soliciting, pretending to be police officers or simply asking for rides – targeting these prostitutes with ropes tied around them, chains, pulleys, straps clamps spreader bars syringes as well as custom built tables with electrodes for electric torture torture techniques.
Ray or Hendy would record their victims being tortured with audio or video recordings before taking away clothing and jewelry as prizes for themselves as trophies from them. Some victims managed to escape before Ray or Hendy could kill them off.
The Barn
The Barn is a large building located beside the railway that stores finished products and goods, construction resources, buckets of water, Realorics (blue jars), bonuses collected over time as well as speed bonuses from speed experience and luck bonuses earned during gameplay. You may sell these items here in exchange for silver coins.
A barn is an iconic type of farm building, often found in rural regions as part of their local heritage. They may be constructed out of brick, stone, wood or any other material and typically feature roofs over them for storage or as part of a house. Barns can often be seen serving a practical function as part of their community heritage.
Barns of all types exist, each boasting their own distinct qualities. While some have been restored and open to the public, others are used for weddings or special events such as funerals.
Raeford Hoke Museum was created to raise public awareness of the history and culture of a small town in North Carolina. It houses two Colonial homes on its grounds: McLauchlin-McFadyen House and Parker-Ray House; however donations are always welcomed as admission is free and donations help further this endeavor. Perfect for people of all ages looking for information on local history!
The Store
The Store at the museum offers visitors an engaging glimpse of history. Built in 1903 and passed down through three generations of Calloway families until currently owned by Brad Calloway himself as his gift shop and storefront location for museum merchandise sales.
Raeford provides an intimate community within reach of metropolitan amenities. Tucked into North Carolina’s rolling sandhills, Raeford boasts fragrant pine forests and majestic magnolia trees that add charm to this North Carolina town tucked into Fort Bragg and bordering Fort Bragg; additionally it’s close proximity to Pinehurst Golf Courses, Carolina Beaches, and Blue Ridge Mountains make Raeford an attractive option.
Raeford is an ideal location to raise a family, thanks to its close-knit community and low crime rate. Residents enjoy an affordable cost of living as well as access to many shopping, dining, and cultural amenities nearby.
Downtown Raeford offers an eclectic blend of locally owned businesses and national retailers, quaint village shops, and numerous eateries serving everything from American fare to traditional Southern fare. Additionally, recreational opportunities abound with parks and golf courses nearby.
