Archer Lodge

While it was once called Wilders, this township around Archer Lodge is now just known as a part of Johnston County that includes sections of Wendell and Clayton. It has traces of the old Johnston County, the one with worn-down country homes on multiple acres, and the new one of brand-new cookie-cutter suburban streetscapes, commercial developments anchored by Publix and Harris Teeter. “You get a little more for your home out in Johnston County, which is a big draw for families,” says Michele Brownlee, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Advantage who has lived in the area for 21 years. “Wake County is running out of room, so people are moving to Johnston.” Some residents work nearby at biotechnology companies like Novo Nordisk and Grifols Therapeutics. Residents and businesses see the advantages of being in Johnston County, says Brownlee. Brand-new suburban developments have been popping up in Wilders over the past few years. Single-story Craftsman and traditional homes of brick and stone sit next to each other on paved streets ending in cul-de-sacs. Neighbors in developments hugging North Carolina Highway 42 can walk to nearby grocery stores and restaurants. Brand-new townhouses are available for purchase, and older structures like ranch-style houses from the late 1990s tend to have roughly 1 acre of land. Homes cost between $290,000 and $875,000, and the average home value is about $415,000. “You hear so much about the unaffordability of the housing market, and I couldn’t agree more, I totally understand that,” says Julie Toy, a life-long North Carolina resident and realtor with Coldwell Banker Advantage. “But you can travel a short distance from a major hub like Raleigh and get out to a slightly more rural area, and the housing prices are a lot more accessible.” Part of Johnston County Public Schools, there are three elementary schools that serve the neighborhood: Corinth Holders Elementary, scoring a B-minus; River Dell Elementary, scoring a B, or the new Thanksgiving Elementary, which opened in fall of 2021. Archer Lodge Middle and Corinth Holders High both score a B. In 2024, the high school’s marching band performed at London’s New Year’s Day Parade and Festival. Wilders hugs the border of Wake County. “You have two major interstates going through in Interstates 95 and 40,” Brownlee says. Commuters can take U.S. Route 70 to Interstate 40 to Raleigh, about 30 minutes away. Durham is about 50 miles away, a drive of about an hour, and Research Triangle Park is a 45-minute drive. The closest hospital to Wilders is UNC Johnston Health Clayton, about 10 miles west of the library. Publix anchors a commercial plaza on Highway 42 with tenants like Great Clips and the UPS Store. Vinegar-based pulled pork, an Eastern North Carolina tradition, is available at Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q. Across the street are retailers like Harris Teeter and Petco, an ice cream parlor, a pizza place and Don Beto’s Tacos y Tequila, a go-to for nachos and margaritas. About 7 miles west is downtown Clayton, where people order juicy ribeye steak at Clayton Steakhouse and sip sparkling wine on the outdoor patio at Mannings Restaurant. “I could do a commercial for Clayton,” says Toy. “If someone wants to live close to an old-timey downtown that has current new vibes to it, Clayton is great.” At East Clayton Community Park, people of all abilities can play on the new inclusive Harmony Playground. There’s space for baseball and soccer games; families can hold picnics or play disc golf. The East Triangle YMCA features an outdoor pool, strength and cardio equipment, reoccurring activities like family bingo and seasonal events like paper snowflake workshops. Members of The Neuse Pool also enjoy outdoor swimming with shaded sitting areas. Portofino Equestrian Center has a training area and boarding stable where horses can socialize and roam. Every year, all of Johnston County comes together for the Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival, a one-day event with entertainment, inflatables, about 130 vendors and country ham biscuits from the Kiwanis Club of Smithfield. During the months of June, July and August, Wendell Blueberry Farm opens so people can pick their own locally grown fruit.