The James Heyward Hull House Photo from National Register collection; courtesy of North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

The James Heyward Hull House is an excellent 1907 Neoclassical Revival style dwelling in Shelby, one of several built at the turn of the century by some of Shelby's most prominent residents. The large two-story house was originally built in 1874 in the Italinante style for Methodist minister Hilary T. Hudson (1823-1892). As Cleveland County's population continued to grow during the latter half of the 19th century, many churches representing several different faiths were established. Hudson, known as a charismatic speaker, teacher, and author was assigned to Shelby from 1874-1884(with one year in 1880 at Rockingham) and remained in Shelby until his death. During his time in Shelby, Dr. Hudson was appointed as a Presiding Elder of the Methodist Western North Carolina Conference. He began to write as a columnist for the Raleigh Christian Advocate as well as serving as Associate Editor, Corresponding Editor, and Editor. Mrs. Mary T. Hudson (formerly Mary T. Lee of Mecklenburg County) retained ownership of the house until she sold it in 1906 to John W. Hopper. Hopper in turn sold the house to M.F. Hull during the same year, and M.F. Hull sold the property to his son James Heyward Hull on April 6, 1907.

James Heyward Hull, a cotton broker, transformed the house into a Neoclassical Revival style residence by adding a monumental portico, flanking wings, an ornate hip roof, and completely renovating the interior. Hull, a native of Catawba County, had several business interests in Shelby and had worked for J.J. McMurphy & Company in Shelby, and also worked as a Southern sales agent for the Bowers Snuff and Tobacco Company of Trenton, New Jersey. Additionally, Mr. Hull was a partner in L.M. Hull & Company, a large mercantile firm based out of Washington, Georgia, an owner of the Cherryville Manufacturing Company, and vice-president of the Gaston Manufacturing Company. Shortly after purchasing the house, Hull married Loula Abernathy of Lincoln County, North Carolina in May 1907. In a bankruptcy proceeding in 1932, Hull deeded the house to his son James H. Hull, Jr. and daughter Mary Hull Daniel, but he and Loula continued to live in a portion of the house until their deaths.

Another view of the James Heyward Hull House Photo from National Register collection; courtesy of North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

On October 26, 1938, James H. Hull, Jr. deeded his half interest in the house to his sister Mary Hull Daniel. It was the Daniel family that made additional renovations to the house in the 1940s. The James Heyward Hull House, facing west, is a two-story, square-in-plan main block with a central hall and triple- pile floor plan. The most prominent feature of the house is the monumental semi-elliptical neoclassical portico featuring fluted Corinthian columns and pilasters and a full entablature including a dentilated cornice with modillions. The James Heyward Hull House was part of the development of a principal neighborhood for Shelby's industrialists, merchants, and professionals during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Marion, Washington, and North Lafayette streets directly west, south, and north, respectively, of the central business district remain well-preserved.

Set on a one-acre lot on the east side of North Lafayette Street in Shelby, the James Heyward Hull House stands to the north of the Central Shelby Historic District. The James Heyward Hull Louse is located at 710 North Lafayette Street. It is a private residence and not open to the public.