North Carolina Polytechnic Academy

The North Carolina Polytechnic Academy is a two-story brick structure with rectangular towers anchoring each corner and crenellated details running along the roofline. The design combines military-style fortification with Gothic Revival features that give it a distinctive castle-like character.

Colonel Charles C. Tew founded the institution as Hillsborough Military Academy before his death at the Battle of Antietam in 1862. The campus later transformed into a polytechnic school focused on civil and practical education.

The building dates from an era when military academies shaped education in this region and left a lasting impression on local institutions. Its fortified appearance with corner towers reflects how schools of that period sought to project authority and permanence.

The building is now a private residence known as the Commandant's House, while the original chapel on the grounds serves an active church community. Visitors should note the property is privately owned and access may be limited.

After the academy closed, its barracks and outbuildings were demolished in 1919, with their bricks salvaged and reused in other construction projects around the area. This resourceful reuse of building materials reflects how the site was repurposed long after the school stopped operating.