The John Lattimore House Photo courtesy of Uptown Shelby Association

The John Lattimore House is typical of the substantial but unpretentious dwellings of average ante-bellum planters in the western North Carolina Piedmont. The original section is a log dwelling of traditional form dating from the early 19th century, and was expanded with frame additions in the 1820s or 1830s to meet the increasing demands of a growing family and rising prosperity. Throughout its existence the house has remained in the ownership of a single family, the Lattimores, one of local prominence and success. John Lattimore (1745-1821) purchased the land on which the house now stands for 200 pounds in 1787, and then transferred this tract to his son Daniel Lattimore (1775-1833) in 1798 for the same price. During Daniel Lattimore's ownership, the earliest portion of the house was constructed. Records show that this building did not serve as the residence of Daniel Lattimore but that the house was standing by 1824. On October 1, 1824, Daniel sold 210 acres of his 355-acre home tract to his son John for $500.

The John Lattimore House was named for John Lattimore (1801-1877), who was the second owner of the house Photo courtesy of Uptown Shelby Association

John Lattimore (1801-1877), the wealthiest of the owners, occupied the home for approximately half a century and gave his name to the house. Known to the family as Big John, he may have lived in the house before his marriage to Isabella Carson on June 8, 1830. Over the next 20 years, at least 11 children were born and as the family grew, so did the house. Since most of his children were born in the 1830s it is reasonable to assume that most of the additions were made during that time. The growth of his family and enlargement of his dwelling coincided with John Lattimore's rise to prosperity. By general standards of North Carolina in the ante-bellum era, Lattimore had elevated himself to the lower echelons of the planter class, but for the area in which he lived, he was considered a moderately wealthy and socially prominent resident. His principal income came from grain production. The outbreak of the Civil War disrupted operation of the Lattimore farm as it did many others in North Carolina. It is believed that all nine of Big John's sons were involved in Confederate service, two of whom died during the war. The Civil War stripped John Lattimore of a large portion of his wealth and much of his labor force. Sections of land were sold to pay off debts. He saved his homeplace by selling it and 206 acres to his son John L. Lattimore on March 22, 1870. The house then passed down to John's son Samuel C. Lattimore, who then bequeathed the property to his wife, Mary Elliott. She then sold it to her nephew John L. Lattimore in 1946. He lived in the home for several years but moved out in 1950. He still holds legal title to the property, but transferred the right of ownership to his son, John B. Lattimore. The John Lattimore House has stood vacant for many years, but the family has taken measures to stabilize it as one of the least altered 19th-century houses in the region.

The John Lattimore House is located at Five Points Rd. northwest of Polkville. It is not open to the public.