With a population of only about 7,000 (as of 2016), Wendell is a growing community within Wake and Johnston Counties. Wendell has small town charm, but is still only thirty minutes from the excitement throughout downtown Raleigh. Settled in the early 1850s, the town was created by farmers who were in search of new land for their tobacco crops. A school teacher who was quite popular among the town's residents, M.A. Griffin, was asked to choose a proper name, and he decided the town should be called Wendell after his favorite poet, Oliver Wendell Holmes. From then on, Wendell has grown into a slightly larger city, but has maintained that small-town, southern charm. Because of this quaint history, Wendell's historic downtown was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wendell is the host of many exciting events throughout the year including the Wendell Harvest Festival, International Food and Music Festival, and the Wonderland and Spring Fling. Saturday mornings are the perfect time to enjoy a trip to the Farmer's Market or take a trip out to the Roberston Millpond Reserve where you can enjoy kayaking and miles of hiking trails. Your four-legged friends will enjoy the large dog park at the Wendell Park, which also includes disc golf, tennis, basketball, and a playground.
