House in the Horseshoe
North of Carthage, NC
As the Deep River wanders through North Carolina's Piedmont plateau and
curves in a horseshoe bend, there stands on a hilltop above it one of the
first "big houses" of upland North Carolina frontier country,
built around 1772; House in the Horseshoe. Once named "Retreat"
by its second owner, Governor Benjamin Williams, and still known as the
Alston House, its walls bear numerous scars and bullet holes incurred
during a Revolutionary War skirmish.
During
the American Revolution, irregular warfare was being waged in the back
country by groups of citizen-soldiers; the Whigs - or revolutionists, and
the Tories - who were still loyal to the king of England. House in the
Horseshoe was then the home of Whig Colonel Phillip Alston. On the morning
of August 5, 1781, while Alston and his band of revolutionists were camped
at the dwelling, they were attacked by a larger unit of Tories whose
leader was the notorious David Fanning. During the ensuing skirmish, the
Tories attempted to set the house on fire by rolling against it a cart
filled with burning straw. After several casualties on both sides, Alston
surrendered; the house stood riddled with bullet holes, many of which
remain. Each summer there is a reenactment of this skirmish.
In 1798 the 2,500 acre plantation was acquired by Governor Benjamin
Williams who had been a colonel under George Washington before serving
four terms as governor. The architectural style of the house follows that
of the coastal lowlands. The two-story frame dwelling with center hall
plan is a typical eighteenth century plantation house which features a
gable roof with large double-shouldered Flemish bond chimneys and shed
porch. The interior is furnished with interesting late colonial and early
Federal period pieces.
In 1954 the dwelling was purchased and restored by the Moore County
Historical Association. It was given to the state in 1955. Admission is
free.
April 1 through October 31: Monday -Saturday; 9 AM - 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM
to 5 PM.
November 1 through March 31: Tuesday-Saturday; 10 AM - 4 PM, Sunday 1
PM-4 PM Closed Monday
Hours may vary. Contact site manager for details.
324 Alston House Rd., Sanford, NC 27330. (910) 947-2051.
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