Developer

The Carpenter Family can trace its roots back to the late 1770's. They were primarily farmers until 1885 when William Henry Carpenter decided to open his store at a crossroads. That same year the Durham and Southern Railroad needed to come through this part of Wake County and he, thinking it would promote his business, gave the RR the right of way. The RR in return named the whistle stop Carpenter Station and built a train depot there. As people moved in and his business prospered the town became known as Carpenter.

In 1922 William decided to move on to other businesses he had in nearby Durham and sold the store to his son Melvin Jackson Carpenter. Mr. Melvin, as he was referred to, operated the store through the roaring twenties, the great depression and WWII until 1946 when his son Roland E. Carpenter returned from the service and acquired the business from his father. Roland Carpenter operated the family business from 1946 until his death in 1977. In 1982, after 5 years of operation by his wife, the business was taken over by Roland's sons Dale and Joel Carpenter.

Dale and Joel are the 4th generation to operate the Carpenter Farm Supply Co which is still located at the corner of Morrisville-Carpenter and Carpenter Upchurch roads. The Carpenter Family has been in continuous business since 1885 and 2010 marks their 125th anniversary. Olde Carpenter was developed by Joel and Dale as an addition to another family developed project, Carpenter Village, carries more of a Carpenter Family Flavor as many of the streets were named after family loved ones. The entrances bear the family crest.