LITTLE LAKE HILL

Little Lake Hill is located in Raleigh, NC, just north of Hymettus Woods Nature Park on Wade Avenue, a 4 acre woodlands park. Little Lake Hill is 3.1 acres itself, and adjoining the nature park, it seems to be an oasis in the middle of a metropolitan area. John and Nancy Ferguson lived here for 60 years or so, beginning in 1932 when the house was built until the late 80's when John ('the Colonel') finally died. They dubbed the house and grounds "Little Lake Hill" because of the little lake they built at the bottom of the hill. The house overlooks the pond and the hardwoods mingled with pines and a good stand of creeping cedar. There are many species of North Carolina native plants on the premises, ranging from desirables such as lady slipper to that which is NOT so desirable, such as poison ivy, which is quickly being eradicated! When entering the lower driveway it is like leaving the BIG CITY behind!

Below you'll find photos of an ever-changing property, and some stories as well! Enjoy!

This is ALSO the home of the well-known Little Lake Hill House Concert Series. Be sure to check it out!

Learn about Bill and Bett Padgett, the folks who live here now.

                                  Some common summer scenes at LLH from 2000. Keep scrolling for more photos taken in 1932-1937!

The magnificent picture window in the living room overlooks the driveway and where the pond once was. It is finally visible after a year of cleanup!
The top of the flaming red maple the Ferguson's planted in 1932. Nancy chained herself to this tree with gun in hand when the City of Raleigh threatened to cut it down to build a sidewalk! Good for her!

Bett and Bill have  completed their move after nearly 29 years in one house! Less than a mile from their former home they found a beautiful old home on 3 acres of land within the beltline in Raleigh (hard to imagine!) It borders Hymettus Woods Nature Park (4 + acres of land given to the city), so it’s like having more than 7 acres in their back yard. On the property are two creeks that wind around some large boulders and down a hill. When it rains we have our own waterfall. Also, a pond that their four amazing border collies will enjoy. Because of the pond the property has been called Little Lake Hill for as long as anyone can remember.

The garden shots here were taken in 2000 and MUCH has been added to fill in the bare spots. The maple has been cloned by Richard Taylor of Taylor's Nursery on Hwy 64 E. (New Bern Avenue) and appropriately named, "Little Lake Hill Red Maple". Five foot tall trees are now available through the Padgetts at (919) 787-6378. $25  and the money will go to Trees Across Raleigh. You will NEVER see a maple as red as this!

  Click Here for pictures of the house and property taken in 2000. Many changes are taking place. Many more shrubs and flowers are covering the grounds. The house is now a lovely cream color.

Same window, but many new items in the lower driveway garden AND a fresh coat of paint.     Who would believe that such a waterfall could exist in the center of Raleigh? These scenes, before and after, and always in transition. A LOT can happen in a few years, with hard work, determination, imagination and a STRONG BACK!! We've never had a deck in our 35 years together UNTIL 2003! We made up for lost time with this 3 level deck that flows into the gardenzzzz!

Built in 1932 and occupied by a childless couple, the Fergusons, the original house sits high on a hill overlooking the pond and many ornamental gardens that were painstakingly built and nurtured by Mrs. Ferguson. Nancy was an artist and she designed and planned the gardens as though they were a painting. Stone walls, steps and rock barriers pop up unexpectedly everywhere, and within grow many hundreds of species of perennials, bulbs, herbs, shrubs and trees…. many of them rare, many of them native. The prettiest red maple tree in Raleigh sits in the front yard. It was the first tree Nancy and John put in the ground. She called it 'Sport'. In the fall people drive from all over to witness the blazing display of leaves. When the city threatened to cut the tree down in the 1980’s Mrs. Ferguson chained herself to the tree with a shotgun in her hand, threatening to shoot out the tires of the equipment the men brought with them to take down the tree! It still stands! Bett surely would do the same! Below you will find photos dating 1932-1937 that were shared with us by Margaret Voyles, John Ferguson's sister. The house, with the addition and renovations looks very different now, but still quite charming.

Mr. Ferguson survived his wife and died in 1988 and the house was unoccupied until 1990 when Jack Lamm and Bob Wilder bought the property. Bob, a rare plant and rock garden enthusiast, and Jack, an architect and interior decorator succeeded in remodeling the old house and making an addition that gives a total of 5500 square feet to the house. 1200 feet are apartments that are rented, leaving 4300 square feet for Bett, Bill and the pups to get lost in. Bill now has  plenty of room for his many collections (remember…the Warehome?), the dogs have more space and Bett has a grand place to host a house concert series called Little Lake  Hill for musicians, speakers, readings, political events. The home provides an intimate and elegant setting for any type of gathering. The ‘stage’ area will look out over the pond and several gardens.

It is going to be an exciting adventure in the years ahead to watch Little Lake live up to its potential as one of the finest gathering places in the Research Triangle Area as a venue for many events ..... as well as for living!