Hezekiah Alexander "Rock House," Charlotte, N. C.

Item — Box: 1 [F09.157.03.05]

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection consists of pen-and-wash drawings of Mecklenburg county, NC landmarks and historic sites that were created by artists Al Fincher, Gene Love and E. Springs and issued by the Mutual Savings and Loan Corporation of Charlotte in 1966. It contains drawings of such diverse sites as the Hezekiah Alexander "Rock House", The Mint Museum and the Kennedy building at UNC Charlotte.

Dates

Creation: 1966

Creator

From the Collection: Love, Gene M. (Person)
From the Collection: Springs, E. (Person)
From the Collection: Fincher, Al (Person)
From the Collection: Mutual Savings and Loan Association (Charlotte, N.C.) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

"The Old Rock House" was built by Hezekiah Alexander in 1774 and is believed to be the oldest house still standing in historic Mecklenburg County. The construction is typical of the era with its massive rock and mortar walls built to withstand any outside force. Huge hand-hewn hardwood beams and rafters afford internal structural support. It is believed that small openings high up at either end of the building were designed to allow the occupants, in defense of their home, to shoot at intruders. The strong religious influence of th 1700s is exemplified in the small carving of the "Sign of the "Fish" that although well worn, is still distinguishable in in the stone of the lower front of the house. Alexander, a Revolutionary Patriot, was one of the twenty-seven men who signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence in 1775. With the help of the descendants of Hezekiah Alexander, the Daughters of the American Revolution restored the house as a tribute to Colonial America.