The 1774 Alexander Rock House, recognized as the oldest home in Mecklenburg County, has received a rare statewide historic significance designation. This honor marks it as an important historical, cultural, and architectural site in North Carolina.
Only ten other properties across the state have been granted this level of recognition. The Rock House becomes the second property in Mecklenburg County to achieve this status from the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. The Johnston Building, built in 1924, is the other county property with statewide designation.
Tommy Warlick, a historic preservation specialist with Mecklenburg County’s Historic Landmarks Department—which submitted the application for this recognition—said, “The Rock House is a portal to the past, allowing visitors a greater awareness of what life in Mecklenburg County was like in the 1770s. This designation helps ensure this important property and the stories of its inhabitants are preserved and protected for generations to come.”
With this new designation, demolition of the Rock House is restricted unless removal would cause significant hardship to its owner. The Charlotte Museum of History currently preserves and interprets the site.
Terri L. White, president and CEO of the museum, noted that this recognition comes as America approaches its 250th anniversary next year. She highlighted that Hezekiah Alexander—the first owner—played a role in drafting North Carolina’s first Constitution and Bill of Rights. White stated: “The Rock House is preserved today because generations of Charlotteans understood its value as a tangible connection to our region’s past and to the period in America’s history that forged our essential ideals of freedom and liberty. As we look forward to bringing thousands of visitors to our historic site next year for our new blockbuster exhibit, American Revolution, the Augmented Exhibition, we are honored to receive this designation. We accept it on behalf of all the people who have worked over decades to save and share this vital piece of North Carolina history.”
Historical records indicate much of the house was likely constructed by enslaved people using native Piedmont stone; some stones are inscribed with “1774.” The building reflects German architectural influences from immigrants who settled in North Carolina during the mid-1700s.
The Alexander Rock House is already listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and as a local landmark.
In related news about Mecklenburg County schools: Enrollment dropped by 0.4% during the 2022-23 school year compared with previous years according to data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In total, county schools enrolled 153,537 students during that period (source).
