The Rand-Bryan House History

The historic Rand-Bryan House began as a 3,000 acre farm – a land grant from the King of England in the late 1700's to William Rand. The farm passed through six generations of Rands, with portions being sold over the years.

The Greek Revival style home, which was recently renovated as the Rand-Bryan House, was built on the farm in 1871. In 1950, a 180-acre portion of the Rand farm, including the house, was purchased by the parents of Rand-Bryan House owner Martha Bryan Liles – Philip Rand Bryan, whose grandmother was a descendent of the Rands, and his wife, Clarice. Martha Liles grew up on the farm, which operated as a dairy farm during her childhood.

In the mid-1970’s, Rand Bryan leased a portion of the acreage to his friend, Bill Stanton, to develop a “choose and cut” Christmas tree farm. The first trees were ready for sale in the early 1980’s and the tree farm has continued to thrive and expand to the approximately 20 acres presently growing pines, spruce and cypress. Many families in Raleigh and surrounding areas have looked forward to their trip to Pop ‘n Son Christmas Tree Farm as an annual part of their holiday traditions.

Beef cattle replaced the dairy cows at about the same time as the tree farm was started. A neighbor took over the cattle farming following the death of Rand Bryan in 1990. Clarice Bryan continued to live in the house until her death in 1997. After inheriting the farm, Martha Liles maintained all farming activities and rented the homestead until beginning renovations for the Rand-Bryan House in late 2008.

Martha Liles recalls the house frequently serving as a gathering place as her parents welcomed neighbors, friends and family to “come and sit a spell”. Many summers, her father hosted 100+ family members for the Bryan reunion. Her mother’s large family often gathered there as well, spilling over into the yard and porch to eat, visit and enjoy softball or croquet in the front yard.

This feeling of family, warmth and celebration is what drove Martha Liles to use this historic home and gardens as a place for your next event.

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