The Octagon House

The Octagon House The Octagon House (ca. 1857) is on the National Register of Historic Places. Preserving, protecting, Elizabeth died in 1860.

Located in Hyde Co., NC, this 19th century eight-sided house was built about 1857 by Dr. William T. Sparrow, a medical doctor born in Craven County (1825), who married Elizabeth Jennette. Elizabeth had inherited the land where the Octagon House is from her father, Robert Jennette. The Sparrows lived there for several years with their three children. Dr. Sparrow, who served in the Confederate Army

and was discharged due to poor health, returned to the Octagon House and died in 1862. By 1879, the three Sparrow children had sold their interest in the house to John A. Northan, who lived there until his death in 1904. Following, it was inherited by Ola Gibbs, who later married Charles Payne. The house was lived in until the late 1950s. During the 1970s and 80s, interested community leaders spearheaded a restoration of the Octagon House. In 1976, the nonprofit "The Octagon House Restoration, Inc." was formed and the house and lot were purchased. Since that time, the restoration and preservation of this historic home in the Lake Landing Historic District has continued. Dr. Sparrow built the eight-sided house since he was enthralled with Orson Fowler, a phrenologist, and his popular 1848 book, The Octagon House: A Home for All, or A New, Cheap, Convenient and Superior Mode of Building. The house has a central chimney and four fireplaces and no posts, except for windows and doors. There are six rooms with a hallway upstairs and downstairs.

04/12/2026

Don't forget to get your copy of "Our History & Heritage" booklet. You can scan the QR code OR visit the website OR get a hard copy!

Recently, Reid Thomas and Wade Rogers from the State Preservation office in Greenville were at the Octagon House to disc...
04/10/2026

Recently, Reid Thomas and Wade Rogers from the State Preservation office in Greenville were at the Octagon House to discuss plans for this year's planned restoration work with Russ Steele, restoration specialist, and OH Board chair, Walter Baum.

03/27/2026

One of several Hyde County’s historic markers and monuments that have been placed and paid for by other organizations or individuals throughout the years.

Indeed, love is in the air....Happy Valentine's Day from the Octagon House!
02/13/2026

Indeed, love is in the air....Happy Valentine's Day from the Octagon House!

12/13/2025
Well, according to the persimmon seeds again showing spoons, looks like all will be shoveling snow during the winter. W...
10/06/2025

Well, according to the persimmon seeds again showing spoons, looks like all will be shoveling snow during the winter. With this weather prediction years ago, Dr. Sparrow would certainly have been getting more firewood stacked for the Octagon House as he prepared for the upcoming cold winter months.

Be sure to note the recently installed cast aluminum roadside marker as you drive by the Octagon House. A grant to fund...
09/15/2025

Be sure to note the recently installed cast aluminum roadside marker as you drive by the Octagon House. A grant to fund this National Register of Historic Places marker was awarded to the Octagon House by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation in Syracuse, NY. The marker is complete with its 8-sided base which helps underline the significance of the ca. 1857 house that Dr. William Sparrow built for his family. Shown are several pictures from its arrival, the base installation and marker in place - it took the efforts of a lot of folks to make this happen!

A recent visitor to the Octagon House was Dr. Kevin Burke, Professor of Anthropology at the Univ. of PA currently doing ...
09/09/2025

A recent visitor to the Octagon House was Dr. Kevin Burke, Professor of Anthropology at the Univ. of PA currently doing research on saltwater intrusion and its effect on the environment and culture. He plans to be in Hyde County and neighboring counties during the fall.

07/27/2025

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. Hyde County has 11 such properties.

Be sure to check out these old blueprints of Mattamuskeet Lodge!
07/16/2025

Be sure to check out these old blueprints of Mattamuskeet Lodge!

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30868 US 264
Engelhard, NC
27824

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