Weidner Rock House
Why it's listed
Set on the lip of a hill above a stream, this sturdy coursed-rubble stone house recalls the buildings of German settlers who moved to North Carolina from Pennsylvania. The land was first settled by Henry Weidner, a German immigrant who received grants in 1750. The present house was probably begun around 1790 by his son. Later owners included Jacob Summey, Jr. and John Wilfong, Jr., a farmer and businessman. Tradition says the house was moved uphill after flooding, and a stone dated 1844 marks its reconstruction. The main block has three bays, a hip-roof porch, nine-over-six windows below and two large rooms on each floor. Inside, a Georgian mantel upstairs sits alongside mid-nineteenth century trim and molded door cases. A frame wing has been heavily altered. Stone houses of this type are among the few surviving in North Carolina, and the Wilfong family owned the property until 1942.
Significance in brief: The house reflects the building traditions of the German settlers from Pennsylvania who made up much of early Catawba County's population. Stone construction of this kind is rare in North Carolina, and the house survives in its rural setting. Its interior combines several architectural styles, including a Georgian mantel and mid-nineteenth century elements.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73001314, listed December 4, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Hickory on SR 1142, Hickory |
|---|---|
| County | Catawba County |
| Listed | December 4, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001314 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific dates 1799, 1844) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular German-influenced stone construction with Georgian and mid-nineteenth century interior elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and altered, with a recently converted sun porch and a remodeled rear addition. The form lists it as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 8 |
| Coordinates | 35.64513, -81.30953 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73001314.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18159194
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.