Holly Springs

About Holly Springs

Holly Springs is a thriving town in North Carolina’s Wake County that, up until the late 1990s, was a tiny community of just a few hundred people. A major population boom was spurred by growth in neighboring cities and the addition of town utilities, and today Holly Springs is a tight-knit but growing suburb. The town is relatively close to North Carolina’s Research Triangle, a major source of jobs and businesses for the region.

The History of Holly Springs

The Tuscarora Indians were the original inhabitants of the land where modern-day Holly Springs is located, eventually fleeing the area in the early 1700s to avoid European settlers. A small community of settlers grew up around the local springs, which were surrounded by large holly trees. These two natural features earned Holly Springs its name.

By the early 1800s, a small village had grown around the intersection of roads in the area. It contained a general store, a church, a Masonic lodge, a cotton gin and a sawmill. The community soon welcomed a wealthy Scottish tailor, who constructed his 38-room mansion and a tailoring business. Today, the Leslie-Alford-Mims House as it’s now known, is still a town landmark.

The town was officially established in 1877, with local businessman George Benton Alford leading the efforts to help Holly Springs grow and develop. However, his dream of a thriving city would not come to fruition until the 1980s, when the town constructed its own sewage plant. This, combined with the growth of nearby cities, helped fuel a major population boom through the 1990s and 2000s.

Living in Holly Springs

In addition to several greenways, Holly Springs also maintains a number of parks and recreational facilities. One of the most popular is Bass Lake Park, which hosts a large man-made lake stocked with catfish, largemouth bass and other fish. In addition to fishing, other amenities at Bass Lake Park include a nature center, a walking trail and boats for rent.

The North Main Athletic Complex and W.E. Hunt Recreation Center provide a place for locals to play a variety of sports. Holly Springs also boasts a summer baseball team, the Holly Springs Salamanders.

Holly Springs Schools

Wake County Public School System operates the public elementary, middle and high schools in Holly Springs. There’s also a private Montessori school, as well as a few small preschools.

Resources for Moving to Holly Springs

If you’re getting ready for a move to Holly Springs, you can use the following information to simplify the process:

• Utilities: The town utilities department manages water and sewer services, while major energy providers include Duke Energy and the Public Service Co. of North Carolina.
• Garbage and Recycling: Waste Management facilitates curbside collection of trash and recycling.
• Transportation: Wake County Transit provides public transportation in the area, including easy access to the North Carolina Research Triangle.

Holly Springs Housing

Home prices in Holly Springs are fairly high and have been increasing at a steady rate as demand for housing grows. However, because there are plenty of options to choose from, you can likely find something to fit your budget. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, the market offers apartments, town houses and single-family homes in plentiful supply.