Picturesque "Pelham Farms"

One of a kind estate lots from 5 to 10 acres with Walthour-Moss Foundation Access.
Beautiful gently rolling country side with 2 ponds, post and rail fencing wrapping the 31 lot development.

Additional Amenities:

• Paved Roads
• Underground Utilities
• Grand Entrance
• Street Lights
• Direct access to the Walthour-Moss Foundation

Meet the Developer:
WILLARD RHODES A 20th CENTURY COWBOY

Willard Rhodes comes by his cowboy boots and cowboy hat honestly. Rhodes grew up in the early 1930’s pulling logs out of the woods with horses while working for his father’s lumber business in Massachusetts. But don’t let the cowboy hat and “aw, shucks” demeanor fool you. When it comes to the “art of the deal,” Rhodes makes Donald Trump look like a greenhorn.

For a man who never went to college, Rhodes has done well for himself. Rhodes is one of those people who sees an opportunity and knows instinctively how to make the most of it. “Being successful is the ability to see what’s been there all along, and overlooked by everyone else,” Rhodes says.

At 88 years old, Rhodes can reflect on a career guided by that philosophy. Rhodes has owned over 20 successful businesses. At one time or another Rhodes has owned a bank, a golf course, a lumber business, cranberry bogs and numerous real estate development companies including his Southern Pines based Peacock Farm Incorporated.

A Love of Quarter Horses

Even Rhodes’ hobbies translated into businesses. Ever the entrepreneur, Rhodes turned his interest in thoroughbreds and quarter horses into breeding, training and racing enterprises.

Rhodes eventually got out of Thoroughbred racing and focused on his first love, the American Quarter Horse.

Rhodes became involved with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) in the 1970’s, serving in many capacities and eventually becoming a Director.

Besides his interest in furthering the success of the American Quarter Horse Association, Rhodes is also interested in furthering the success of its youth members. He supports the youth scholarship program and encourages beginner horsemanship through programs offered at his Ravenbrook Farm in Florida.

Since moving to Southern Pines in 1988, Rhodes stays involved with the AQHA but has also gone back to his driving roots. He presently competes a pair of Dutch Warmbloods in Pleasure Driving shows and has won many championships throughout the Northeast.

Rhodes manages a real estate development business that sprang from his purchase of the old Stoneybrook race track on Youngs Road. He didn’t need all of the land for his farm so he decided to divide the remaining property into 10-acre lots.

“After they sold very quickly, I saw an opportunity to develop small farms for people who were not interested in larger tracts of land. Peacock Farm Inc. was born,” Rhodes says.
Between the roles of entrepreneur and cowboy, it seems Rhodes enjoys the role of cowboy best. With a twinkle in his eye, Rhodes will proudly tell you that he has a great-grandson who wants to be a cowboy. Odds are that a 21st century cowboy is in the making.

Source: The Pilot
Written by Patricia Smith