The Historic Sharpe House

History of The Sharpe House

Built just outside Statesville in the mid-19th century, the Sharpe House was unlike anything seen in the North Carolina Piedmont at the time. Inspired by Classical Revival designs and Low Country plantation architecture, the home reflected the ambition of its owner, Silas Sharpe. Construction was delayed by the Civil War and completed in 1866, after which the house sat at the center of a thriving 13-acre estate that functioned as a self-sustaining farm. Over generations, the house remained largely intact, saw thoughtful restoration in the 20th century, and was ultimately recognized for its significance with inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

❋ History & Construction

  • Built between circa 1855 and 1866, with construction delayed by the Civil War

  • Completed in 1866, allowing the Sharpe family to move into Silas Sharpe’s long-awaited home

  • Local legend says a Union bullet from Stoneman’s Raid (1865) remains lodged in the front door lintel.

❋ Architecture & Design

  • Designed in the Classical Revival style, uncommon in the North Carolina Piedmont at the time

  • Inspired by published designs of noted New York architect Asher Benjamin

  • Features a deep portico, large windows, and a central hall floor plan

  • Portico columns carved to resemble bundled stalks, with an elegant turned balustrade.

❋ The Estate & Grounds

  • Originally sat on a 13-acre self-sustaining estate

  • Included gardens, orchards, pastures, and a branch of Fourth Creek

  • Grounds featured both practical and ornamental plantings, enclosed by a white picket fence

❋ Preservation & Legacy

  • Sold during the Great Depression due to financial hardship

  • Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980

More History

Later Changes & Restoration

  • The house remained largely unchanged throughout the 19th century

  • Late adoption of modern amenities like indoor plumbing and electricity

  • Interior restoration in the late 1930s added arched doorways influenced by Federal-style architecture

  • Long portico windows were replaced with French doors during 20th-century remodeling

Outbuildings & Daily Life

  • The property once included numerous outbuildings, including a barn, servant's cottage, carriage house, granary, and well house.

  • Livestock included cows, hens, pigs, and horses, supporting daily household needs

Household & Community

  • Sarah McKee Sharpe sold eggs, milk, and fruit to local residents

  • Rented pasture space to neighbors for “pin money,” helping support a large household

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