Tar River Station is an antique in its own right. The store of J.W. Crews was built around 1908, believed from timber off the property. The Southern Railway tracks ran along side of the store where Pulpwood cars were dropped off to be loaded.   It was sold in 1940 to Carlyle and Blanche Latta who operated it as a general store till around 1975. It was a gathering place for the community. You could find people playing checkers or cards, especially in the winter months as it was kept toasty warm by the potbelly stove at the center of the building.

Linda always loved that store and wished that they could own it. In 1996 she saw the for sale ad in the Oxford Ledger while looking for an auction to go to that weekend. Michael Latta, son of Carlyle and Blanche was executor and met the Self’s that Saturday morning at the old store. A deal was struck and the Self’s became the owner of the Tar River Station and 10 acres of land.

Linda and Sonny had been going to auctions for about 15 years at that time and had lots of treasures packed away. The old store has wonderful, bookcases build-in all the way down the right side. A perfect home for all those wonderful things that had been packed away. The Selfs decided to fix the place up. It would be a wonderful place for family get together, since they have large families on both sides. They wanted to  keep as much of the charm of the old place as possible, but  a few renovations were necessary. The old chimney and potbelly stove were taken out and the floor replaced because of the wear. The old station had never been painted, so the first coat of paint was applied. Everything looked so pretty and many suggested that they should open an antique shop. But, they decided to open an auction house instead. As Linda  likes to say, “To help support our habit lets have an auction." Tar River Station Auction held their first sale June 15, 1996. In 1998 and additional 1000sq ft was added bringing the building to 3000sq ft. A 2000sq ft building was added for staging and storage behind the Auction House. This allows lots of space to pull together the auctions. Tar River Station Auctions is a fully equipped auction service ready to sell estates in our building or on-site. The inventory comes from local estates, consignments and  hand selected pieces from our travels, as well as imported goods from Europe and abroad. A 1999 Ford 550 Diesel with a 16ft enclosed bed, gives us the capability of moving large amount of merchandise with ease.

We use Maxa auction software. All of the auction software runs on JBS. Your items are tracked by computer and inventory programs from pick-up to delivery to buyers.  The consignees are paid out on the day of sale.

Although, the auction is the main business, you will find the auction house open most of the time (to be sure call 919-693-4571). Our wonderful bookcases running the length of the building are always full of beautiful glassware and collectibles. The walls are hanging full of great old pictures, paintings and mirrors. It is stocked with a  great inventory of antiques, primitives, appliances and used furniture. Items can be purchased  if owned by the auction house when they have not been advertised for an auction.  Tar River Station is more than an auction house it is a gallery.

You are  invited to stop in and look around. Tar River Station Auction House is just one mile down Tar River Rd off Hwy. 15. Linda and Sonny love the Tar River Station Community. It is a safe and friendly community. They  have built their home on top of the hill behind the auction house. Like their neighbors home and business  stand side beside. Almost anyone in Granville County will know Frank and Nina Daniels, (Daniel’s Grocery), Tom Bailey (Bailey’s Produce Farms) and Paul Smallwood (Paul’s Forklift Service) all located across the road.