Rock House

Rock House is a stone ruin in Pinnacle featuring thick fieldstone walls that rise four stories high with a large basement fireplace originally used for cooking. The construction shows the substantial building techniques of the time, with dimensions and design suited to serve both residential and defensive purposes.

Colonel John Martin built this stone residence around 1785 as a military headquarters and community shelter during wartime. The building served important military and civilian functions throughout the conflicts affecting the region during that period.

The structure shows construction methods common in the late 1700s through its fieldstone design, typical of the region at that time. The thickness of the walls reflects an understanding of durability and protection that was central to building practices of the era.

The Stokes County Historical Society maintains the site and provides parking for visitors to use. The grounds remain accessible throughout the year for those wishing to explore the ruins.

The walls, roughly three feet thick, have survived since their construction around 1785 and remain in their original ruined state. This unaltered condition allows visitors to see the actual construction methods and material quality from the late 1700s.

Location: Stokes County

GPS coordinates: 36.40470,-80.36220

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:41