The History of Vesuvius
Built in 1792, the home known as Vesuvius is the oldest house in Lincoln County. The original builder of the house was Joseph Graham, a very prominent figure in North Carolina history. Graham’s family continued to play a big role in North Carolina history, including his son, William A. Graham, who went on to become a senator and the only North Carolinian to be nominated for the Vice Presidency on a major political ballot. Other members of the Graham family were connected with some equally important figures in North Carolina history, including the founder of Davidson College and Stonewall Jackson.
Graham was instrumental in bringing the iron industry into North Carolina, building an iron furnace on his property that stayed in operation until after the civil war. He named the furnace Vesuvius since the embers and smoke erupting from its top so resembled the great volcano Mt. Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii, Italy. Remnants of the furnace still exist on the property.
The house itself was an important center of activity for many decades. Vesuvius was located on the main stagecoach road from Spartanburg to Salisbury. Notables traveling on the road would stop and stay at Vesuvius during long trips. Joseph Graham acted as postmaster and Justice of the Peace throughout the stagecoach era and was also Mecklenburg County’s first Sheriff.
Over the years the facade and landscape of Vesuvius and its surrounding property has changed, however the history that has been made at Lincoln County's oldest home still remains. Have your event here at Vesuvius Vineyards, and become a part of history.