Inkwell
Also known as: The Octagon House
Why it's listed
Rising from open farmland near Lake Landing in Hyde County, this eight-sided, two-story frame house has long drawn the curiosity of passing travelers. Known locally as the Inkwell, the Inkbottle House or the Round House, it rests on brick piers under a low tent-like metal roof that climbs to a central octagonal chimney. Tradition holds that Dr. William T. Sparrow built it in the early 1850s, choosing the octagonal form after a hurricane destroyed his conventional house. The plan follows the octagon mode promoted by Orson S. Fowler, who argued that such houses were economical, bright and efficient. Few were built in North Carolina. Inside, square rooms sit back-to-back around the chimney, leaving trapezoidal spaces for the stair hall and closets. Some surfaces and doors have been replaced, yet the shape and plan survive. The property later passed to merchant John S. Northan and then to the Payne family. It has been neglected and unused in recent years.
Significance in brief: The house is one of the few octagon-plan houses built in North Carolina and a surviving example of the mid-nineteenth century octagon mode popularized by Orson S. Fowler. Despite alterations, it keeps its distinctive shape and floor plan focused on a central chimney. It is also a long-standing landmark in the flat farmland of Hyde County.
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 78001960, listed September 1, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of Lake Landing on U.S. 264, Lake Landing |
|---|---|
| County | Hyde County |
| Listed | September 1, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78001960 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Octagon mode (octagonal plan house) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as deteriorated, unoccupied and unused; it suffered neglect in recent years, and renovation was planned by a new owner. |
| Acreage | 1.4 |
| Within district | Lake Landing Historic District |
| Coordinates | 35.48489, -76.05269 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 78001960.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14707981
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.