House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site

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House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site

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Built c. 1772, site of Revolutionary War skirmish. The House in the Horseshoe, Alston House, was built in 1772 by Phillip Alston. David Fanning.
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During the American Revolution Alston proved a fiery leader for the Whig cause. In 1781 the house was the site of militia skirmish between the owner, Whig Col. Philip Alston, and Loyalist Col. The house still bears some the scars from this engagement. From 1798 to 1814 the House in the Horseshoe, under the name Retreat, was home to another Patriot leader and four time North Carolina governor, Benjamin Williams.

26/10/2026

Take a breathe and admire the Alston House sun-kissed by the rising sun!

22/10/2026

Today we want to highlight our maintenance technician, Chris! He keeps our grounds and historic buildings looking sharp! Every day is different and somedays he’s even moving a HVAC unit around. Thanks for making the site look amazing, Chris!

North Carolina Historic Sites
NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

20/10/2026

One of our returning visitors at the site is the eastern cottontail rabbit! They have adapted to living near humans, since our yards can provide food and cover.

15/10/2026

, October 15, 1772, Philip Alston purchased 4,000 acres of land from John Johnston, Samuel Johnston, and Josiah Grandberry for 650 pounds (about $132,600 today!).

Source: Cumberland County Deed Books; Eric W. Nye, Pounds Sterling to Dollars: Historical Conversion of Currency

13/10/2026

We love finding splashes of color throughout the site! We found this red spider lily tucked away behind some trees. These will bloom again next year as perennials!

08/10/2026

Research never ends at the Alston house! Last week, the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology visited us and conducted a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey around the house. We’re excited to see what might be uncovered!

06/10/2026

As the weather is cooling down, the leaves are starting to change colors around the Alston House!

02/10/2026

Check us out in the new SciNC episode!

A discovery of a 1748 shipwreck, 250-year old bullet holes at a historic site and parasitic wasps.

01/10/2026

The landscape around the Alston House has changed over time. Check out the backyard of the Alston House from 1992 compared to today!

What has changed between 1992 and 2026? What has stayed the same? How would YOU change the backyard of the Alston House?

(First photograph from House in the Horseshoe archives)

29/09/2026

We have native plants growing around the site, like sassafras! Indigenous people used sassafras for its medicinal purposes to treat illnesses, like fevers, coughs, mouthwash, and more. Sassafras also had culinary uses in gumbo and root b**r.

Address

288 Alston House Road

27330

Opening Hours

Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 17:00

Website

https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/house-horseshoe

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