the history
Nestled in America's History
More than 200 years ago, Joel Lane's estate was situated where Bloomsbury Estates now stands, and was widely known as "the finest in the land." Literally thousands of acres spread out beneath this gracious home; and as a prominent North Carolina figure during Revolutionary War times, many notable people in history visited Lane regularly. His home served as the site of important colonial government meetings, and even played an integral part of North Carolina's transition from colony to state. In 1792, Lane sold off some of his acreage to help found the first planned capital of the U.S, establishing what is now the city of Raleigh.
Originally named "Wakefield" for colonial Governor William Tryon's wife, Margaret Wake, Governor Tryon later christened Lane's home "Bloomsbury." This was to honor Bloomsbury, England, a city renowned for its numerous poets, writers and artists. Tryon hoped to spur similar creativity here in America at Lane's rambling estate home.
Continuing in this tradition, you'll find that today's Bloomsbury Estates pays tribute to that same creative genius, with references to the works of some of the world's most famous literary greats.
