Twin Houses, historic houses in North Carolina, United States
Twin Houses is a National Register historic site featuring a double dwelling in Shawboro, North Carolina, built around 1797. Each half contains two stories with five bays across the front, connected by a gable-roofed hall, with end chimneys and period hall-and-parlor floor plans typical of late Federal architecture.
Built around 1797 shortly after American independence, these houses exemplify Federal period architecture and construction methods. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, recognizing their significance as windows into early life in North Carolina.
The Twin Houses in Shawboro show how families in this region lived side by side while maintaining separate households. The shared design reflects local building customs where practical solutions allowed multiple families to coexist while keeping their private spaces distinct.
The buildings are visible from the road and can be viewed from the outside, as interior tours are not available. The surrounding landscape is open and quiet, making it suitable for a brief stop or walk to observe the structures from different angles and appreciate their construction details.
The property is the burial site of Colonel Henry Shaw and his wife, marking its importance as a family home and memorial place. This on-site burial reflects how land and family were deeply connected in early American life.
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