Braun, Michael, House
Also known as: Old Stone House
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Why it's listed
Built in 1766 by German-born Michael Braun, this two-story stone house stands northwest of Granite Quarry in Rowan County. The front facade is coursed stone, with segmental arches over the first-floor openings and a stone slab above the entrance bearing Braun's name, his wife's name and a German abbreviation giving thanks for the completed work. A frame kitchen wing with a very wide fireplace extends from the east side. Inside are four unequally sized rooms, corner fireplaces, raised-panel wainscot and an enclosed spiral stair. Braun was a merchant, wheelwright, farmer and later a printer in Salisbury. His family lived in the house until 1904. After decline, it was repaired in the twentieth century and is now a museum run by Rowan Museum, Inc. It is believed to be the oldest house in Rowan County and shows the German influence on North Carolina's culture. A log outbuilding was later moved onto the grounds.
Significance in brief: It is believed to be the oldest house in Rowan County and probably one of the oldest in piedmont North Carolina. It is noted for superb construction and described as the noblest of the North Carolina stone houses. It also reflects the important German influence on the state's history and culture.
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 71000618, listed September 28, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Granite Quarry on SR 2308 off U.S. 52, Granite Quarry |
|---|---|
| County | Rowan County |
| Listed | September 28, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000618 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (1766) |
| Architect / builder | Michael Braun (Brown), builder and original owner |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored and open regularly as a house museum administered by Rowan Museum, Inc.; condition listed as excellent and unaltered. A relocated log outbuilding was later added for storage. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 35.62236, -80.44090 (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 71000618.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19817671
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.