P. Edgar Furr House

Impressive Queen Anne-style house in Raleigh’s highly desirable Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood!

Architectural and Historical Information

Built in 1913 in the newly developing Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood, this stylish house was purchased by Norfolk Southern Railroad conductor Perle Edgar Furr and his wife Pattie who raised their two daughters here until they moved to Richmond in 1925.  The house was then sold to Margaret and Archie Hamilton Geiger, who was a foreman for Norfolk Southern, and remained in that family until 2022 when it was sold by their grandson.

The house incorporated the latest design trends of the era, including a wraparound porch topped by decorative gables and fanlight. The stunning front door features a wide fanlight and sidelights with bold Craftsman muntin designs allowing natural light into the front entrance parlor. The tall, spacious rooms feature pocket doors, stained wood mantels with tile surrounds including a notable rift-cut white oak corner mantel in the entrance, original light fixtures with push button switches, plaster walls and picture molding, and a Craftsman-inspired stained glass window in the former dining room.

This stylish gem has been vacant in recent years and suffered from significant deferred maintenance which initiated a Demolition by Neglect action. Aluminum siding was installed at some point, though much of it has been removed revealing the original clapboard siding. Leaks in the original slate roof and the poor drainage in the rear elevation will require immediate repair as part of the comprehensive rehabilitation work necessary, which will include installation of all new systems—HVAC, electrical and plumbing, new kitchen and baths, and carpentry repairs.

The house has retained much of its original features and materials, some stored onsite, which translates to an excellent investment for a buyer searching for a great house in a walkable downtown Raleigh neighborhood. The P. Edgar Furr House is a contributing structure to the Glenwood-Brooklyn National Register Historic District making it eligible for historic rehabilitation tax credits and it is also part of the locally designated district.

Time is of the essence! An application to demolish the house was submitted last year and is delayed through fall 2026. The current owners and local preservation community are eager to see the house sold to someone who is ready to tackle this rewarding rehabilitation project. Some interior work was started by prior owners.  More information on the history of the house and its current status can be found on Preservation Raleigh’s website.

Area Information

The Glenwood-Brooklyn Historic District in the capital city of Raleigh encompasses 286 contributing buildings in an early-20th century streetcar suburb. Glenwood and Brooklyn were developed around 1905 to 1951 featuring Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and Bungalow/American Craftsman-style architecture.  Originally listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 as Glenwood, a boundary increase/decrease in 2002 included the Brooklyn neighborhood. The area is experiencing significant development pressure making the preservation of this property all the more vital.