History of the town

Fuquay-Varina (pronounced “Few-kway-Va-reena”) is full of history that exudes southern charm.

According to one historical account, the vicinity was first known as “Piney Woods”. Since the earliest settlers were Sippihaw Indians, the community eventually became known as Sippihaw, reportedly an Indian word meaning "good will".

Around 1852, David Crockett Fuquay purchased 1000 acres of farm land and raised his family in the small community known as Sippihaw. Historical accounts credit two different members of the family for discovering a free flowing mineral spring on the family’s plantation. Some accounts say the spring was discovered by David Crockett Fuquay, and others credit his son Stephen Fuquay with the discovery.

As the word was spread of the spring’s healing properties, visitors from all over the United States came to the community. Several commercial businesses, such as hotels and tour companies, were built based upon on the popularity of the spring. In 1902, the town was eventually given the name of Fuquay Springs and it was officially incorporated in 1909.

Meanwhile, a second community had grown up around a train depot located about a half-mile north of Fuquay Springs. The name Varina (reportedly a young lady’s pen name) was used to sign morale-boosting letters that she wrote to J. D. “Squire” Ballentine while he was away serving in the Confederate Army. Ballentine returned home and married the young lady who he always called Varina. He gave her pen name (Varina) to the post office and the community that surrounded the train depot.

For many years, the two communities existed with their own business districts and their own post offices. Varina, however, was never incorporated.

In 1963, the Town of Fuquay Springs annexed the community of Varina. The Town Charter was changed to reflect the name Fuquay-Varina. In recent years, Town officials have been busy bringing this rich history back to life by revitalizing Broad Street (the Varina Historic District) and South Main Street (the Fuquay Springs Historic District).