Hays, North Carolina sits in Wilkes County, a region once known nationwide as the “Moonshine Capital of the World,” where bootleggers running illegal liquor through the foothills in modified, souped-up cars unintentionally laid the groundwork for what became NASCAR. The same county produced the legend of Tom Dula, immortalized in “Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley,” and later gave rise to Lowe’s Home Improvement, founded just up the road in North Wilkesboro. Against that backdrop, a five-bedroom home at 985 Traphill Rd carries its own genuine piece of history — built in 1864, in the middle of the Civil War, on 13.61 acres now listed at $265,000.
A Home That’s Kept Its Original Character
Few homes on the market anywhere carry a construction date this old. At 2,290 square feet, this five-bedroom, one-bathroom home has been freshly painted throughout, but the listing is careful to highlight what hasn’t changed: original architectural details and original doors remain intact, alongside beautiful hardwood floors and spacious, genuinely generous rooms. A double-sided fireplace connects two living spaces, and a second fireplace adds warmth elsewhere in the home, backed by a wall furnace and propane for heat. The primary bedroom occupies the second floor, with the main level built around a formal dining room, kitchen, and living room.
Nearly 14 Acres, Cleared and Ready for Horses
The 13.61-acre lot is a genuine mix of cleared, level pasture and partially wooded land, with partial fencing already in place and horses allowed on the property. A storage structure adds practical space, and a circular driveway makes access simple on a rural lot this size.
The Practical Details
This is an owner sale, and the home connects to public water while running on a private septic system. Annual property taxes run $995, and the property was newly listed on August 18, 2026.
The Numbers
| Price | $265,000 |
| Location | 985 Traphill Rd, Hays, NC 28635 |
| Home Size | 2,290 sq ft |
| Bedrooms / Bathrooms | 5 / 1 full |
| Lot Size | 13.61 acres, cleared and partially wooded |
| Year Built | 1864 |
| Water / Sewer | Public / private septic |
| Heating | Fireplaces, wall furnace, propane |
| Horses Allowed | Yes |
| Sale Type | Owner sale |
| Annual Taxes | $995 |
Why Hays
Hays sits in the foothills of Wilkes County, a region shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Yadkin River, and a history that spans the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and a 20th-century moonshine trade that quietly reshaped American motorsports. The nearby town of Wilkesboro preserves much of that layered past through the Wilkes Heritage Museum, while the surrounding countryside remains defined by rolling farmland and close-knit rural communities. For a buyer drawn to a genuinely historic home — one that predates the end of the Civil War — with real acreage and horse-ready land, Hays offers a rare piece of 19th-century North Carolina still standing today.
Interested in touring 985 Traphill Rd or want more details on the Hays area? Reach out to the listing agent below in ZILLOW
