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A cherished holiday tradition in Albemarle is set to continue this year with a new date and time.
The Holiday Tour of Homes, a fundraiser hosted by Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation (ADDC), will take place earlier than in previous years, slated for 4-8 p.m. Nov. 23.
The new tour date was selected in response to feedback from past homeowners and guests.
Many have noted that visitors appreciate the atmosphere of a twilight or evening tour, where light displays shine more brightly. Additionally, this earlier date resonates with this year’s homeowners, who are eager to prepare their homes sooner, allowing them to fully enjoy the holiday season.
This year’s tour features eight sites.
Tour site No. 7 is the Neo-Classical Revival home of Austin and Megan King and Robert and Dondee King, at 271 N. 3rd St., Albemarle.
The home was built by Andrew Columbus (A.C.) Huneycutt, who owned multiple regional newspapers. A.C. Huneycutt was also a lawyer in Albemarle and served as the mayor for a period of time. The home is affectionately known as the Huneycutt House.

The Huneycutt House was constructed in 1923-1924, so this makes it the 100th Christmas being celebrated in the home. Before the Kings purchased it, the house had been most recently owned by John and Nicole Williams from 2005 to 2019. During the Williams’ ownership, various improvements were made, and a lower level suite was completed in 2012, which added another living area, kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a second laundry to the home.
Austin’s parents, Rob and Dondee King, live in the suite, but will not be featured on the tour.
The exterior of this home is all brick, boasting original wooden columns with ionic capitals, corbels under wooden soffit, original windows with wooden storm windows, and a wrap-around front porch. A covered side porch was blown off during Hurricane Hugo and never replaced. The King family says the porch will be making its return in the next few years.
Inside, the architecture of this beautiful home offers arts and crafts woodwork, coffered ceilings, a sunroom, and a screened-in porch. The décor is a blend of mid-century modern and arts and crafts styles.
The owners, Austin and Megan King, were married in the backyard in 2015, so it is no wonder they boast of enjoying the beautiful, mature landscaping and the historical significance of this home.
If Christmas décor is what really draws you to these tours, the exterior of this home will be decorated with white lighting and wreaths and the interior will feature themed rooms with numerous trees. A large vintage ornament collection will be displayed in the dining room, and an even larger collection of nutcrackers will fill the kitchen.
Tour site No. 8 features a recently revitalized piece of Albemarle’s history. The iconic Sinclair Service Station, built in 1929 at the corner of North Second Street and Montgomery Avenue, has been transformed into a modern residence while preserving its historic charm.
Originally constructed by contractor James D. Harwood for Dr. J.A. Allen, the Sinclair Service Station was a bustling hub in its heyday. It offered more than just fuel, providing cold drinks, sandwiches, a waiting room and a ladies restroom.
Over the years, the station changed hands and brands, eventually becoming a Phillips 66. In recent years, it stood vacant and deteriorated.
However, a new chapter began in 2020 when local artists Jack and Eli Williams, known as the WMS Brothers, were granted permission to paint murals on its boarded-up walls. These vibrant murals breathed new life into the building and quickly became a popular social media spot.
In late 2023, a bold decision was made to convert the historic structure into a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with an art studio.
Local construction company Stanly Construction Services, led by David Scarboro and John Williams, undertook the project.
The renovation process involved preserving the building’s original character. Historic doors and windows were restored by Double Hung Windows of Greensboro, while salvaged architectural elements, such as tin ceilings and doors from a former grocery store on South First Street, were incorporated into the design.
The exterior of the building will once again showcase its 1929 appearance, with the original white stucco and green tile roof being restored. Future plans include reinstalling Sinclair signage, gas pumps, and a large dinosaur statue. Additionally, vintage red Christmas bells, once a familiar sight in downtown Albemarle, will adorn the building during the holiday season.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this project and to bring this iconic building back to life,” said John Williams. “It’s a privilege to restore a piece of Albemarle’s history and to create a beautiful, functional space for the future.”
The WMS Brothers, Jack and Eli Williams, will call the revitalized Sinclair Service Station home. Their artistic talents will continue to enrich the local community and contribute to the building’s legacy.
Advance admission to the Holiday Tour of Homes is $12, and is available at Connie’s Coffee & Cafe, Livi Bug’s Boutique, Make it Personal and Starnes Bramlett Jewelers in downtown Albemarle, and online at www.albemarledowntown.com/events/holiday-tour-of-homes.
Admission can be purchased the day of the tour at the Depot at Market Station, 501 W. Main St., Albemarle.
ADDC Director Joy Almond invites guests from the Holiday Tour of Homes to visit downtown Albemarle after their tour to savor dinner at one of the restaurants that will be open that evening.
“Visiting our downtown restaurants is the perfect way to cap off an evening of enjoying the Holiday Tour of Homes,” said Almond. “Enjoying a fun event and supporting local businesses is the heart of community spirit as well as Christmas spirit.”
Proceeds from the Holiday Tour of Homes will enable the ADDC to continue to fund downtown redevelopment initiatives, which include beautification projects, public art and matching grants for business owners.
For more information, on the Holiday Tour of Homes and other downtown events, go to www.albemarledowntown.com.