Names of N.C. places tell a fascinating story of who we are

North Carolina has more than its fair share of “beautiful” names assigned to its cities, towns and small communities. 

Among the most pleasing to the ear is “Fuquay-Varina,” a growing municipality located in southern Wake County.

 

 

There was a Mr. Fuquay as well as a Ms. Varina, but their paths never crossed. Here’s the story: 

William Fuquay was a Frenchman who fought on the side of the colonials in the Revolutionary War. Afterward, he acquired about 1,000 acres of farmland where Fuquay-Varina now exists. Back then, the community was known as “Sippihaw,” named for a Native American tribe.n the late 1850s, a Fuquay family descendant, while plowing a field, uncovered a mineral spring. “Taking the waters from Fuquay Springs” became an attraction for people with all types of physical ailments.

 

James Devereaux Ballentine grew up in Sippihaw and was the town’s schoolmaster before going off in 1861 to fight for the Confederate army in the Civil War. During his tour of duty, he received letters from one of many southern ladies who wrote to the troops to boost their morale by offering words of encouragement. 

Ballentine was so impressed with his letters from “Varina,” he just had to find her when he returned home in 1865. He located Virginia Avey in Fayetteville, about 45 miles due south of Sippihaw. They courted and were married in 1867. He always called her “Varina.” 

A new settlement began to form south of the springs, at the rail junction of the Cape Fear and Northern Railway and the Norfolk Southern Railway. A new post office was needed. Ballentine got the job in 1880. 

He chose to name his post office “Varina” as an expression of his love and affection toward his dear wife.

 

In 1902, Sippihaw was renamed “Fuquay Springs,” and it was incorporated in 1909. Varina remained unincorporated, but the people of Fuquay Springs and Varina agreed to merge in 1963 to form Fuquay-Varina. 

What’s cool is that this city with the hyphenated name has two historic districts and has been able to successfully retain its small-town charm and identity…without being totally swallowed up by urban sprawl from Raleigh.

 

And then, there’s the tale of “Why Not” in Randolph County.

This community sprouted up with the completion in 1853 of the 129-mile Fayetteville and Western Plank Road, which ran between Fayetteville and Bethania (near Winston-Salem). It was the longest plank road in the world. 

In 1860, the federal government thought it would be good to have a post office located at the midpoint along the road – in Randolph County. 

So, area residents assembled to select a name for their postal station. “Why not name it this, why not name it that?” The group could not agree on a name. Finally, Martin Auman…or maybe it was Alfred Yow or Noah Richardson…said: “Why not name it ‘Why Not?’” And that’s just what they did.

 

The center of the Why Not community has always been its old Methodist church, which is maintained today by the Why Not Memorial Association (WNMA), a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization that was formed in 1936. 

Descendants of alumni from the Why Not Academy, which operated from 1893-1916, are also considered “official members” of the WNMA. 

This loyal group of “Why Notters” hosts its 86th annual reunion gathering on May 15, 2022, with a “covered dish” mid-day supper on the old church grounds.