Sun Mar 20 08:15 PM  by Jack Anglin

This fine home was built by Jesse Grainger as a wedding gift for his daughter, Capitola.  Mr. Grainger was a prominent businessman who accelerated the tobacco growing system from the farm to warehouse. The old high school and the Kinston baseball stadium are named after him. Sarahurst in this view is how the home looked soon after completion in 1904, when the home faced south, at the top of the hill, and facing the end of Queen Street with a grand view of downtown Kinston. In 1914 Queen Street was extended north and the home was moved just a short distance to the east and turned to face west (the leaded glass is better used that way with afternoon rainbows stretching all the way to the kitchen).  For ten years the home commanded the view of the hill and estate until the move was accomplished with mules and horses -an amazing feat. Many families have lived in Sarahurst and a nursery school operated once in the front parlor. The home was partitioned for multiple family occupation until Susan & David Hagins moved in and returned it to a single family home and did much modernization and remodeling in the late 80's. The home is approximately 5500 square feet with some basement access (dirt floor and unimproved), and a full access, walk up, floored attic.  With seven fireplaces, three bathrooms, large hallways, twelve foot ceilings, a massive front porch, a port cochere ( coach port ) with carriage step, a unique curved north wall with glazing in the dinning room all make the home a special place with a century of history in Kinston. The architecture of Sarahurst was repeated elsewhere with some variations -the basic style and look can be found in other structures, almost as if the plans were sold as they are today.