Hinton Rowan Helper House facts for kids
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Hinton Rowan Helper House
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Distant view from U.S. Route 64
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. Route 64 east of Interstate 40, Mocksville, North Carolina |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1829 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001336 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
The Hinton Rowan Helper House is a special old house located on United States Route 64 near Mocksville, North Carolina. This house sits on land that once belonged to the famous explorer Daniel Boone. It was the home where Hinton Rowan Helper (1829-1909) grew up and lived as a young adult.
Hinton Rowan Helper wrote an important book called The Impending Crisis of the South in 1857. This book strongly argued against slavery. It caused a lot of discussion and disagreement, especially in the time leading up to the American Civil War in 1860. Because of its history, the house was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1973. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places that same year.
Contents
About the Helper House
Where is the House Located?
The Hinton Rowan Helper House is found west of Mocksville, North Carolina. It is a bit set back from the north side of United States Route 64. The house is on a piece of land about 1.5 acres (0.61 hectares) in size. This land was once part of a larger area known as the Boone Tract. This tract was first given to Squire Boone, and later owned by his famous brother, Daniel Boone. A special sign from the state marks the location of the house.
What Does the House Look Like?
The house is a 1 1/2-story building. This means it has one full floor and a smaller half-story upstairs, usually under the roof. The very center of the house is made from strong logs. Later on, wooden frames were added to the sides and back of the house. The outside of the house is covered with horizontal wooden boards called clapboard siding.
The roof has a pointed shape, called a gable roof. This roof extends over the front porch, which is held up by posts. At the back, there is an old shed-style roof extension. A newer kitchen area has also been added to the back. Inside, in the front living room, you can still see the original log walls. Some of the door frames are also made from original split logs.
Hinton Rowan Helper's Early Life
Hinton Rowan Helper lived in this house for the first twenty years of his life. Growing up here, he saw firsthand how slavery affected people. He noticed how it impacted not only the enslaved people but also many white people who did not own slaves. This experience shaped his views and led him to write his famous book.
Helper's Famous Book
Why The Impending Crisis Was Important
In 1857, Hinton Rowan Helper published his book, The Impending Crisis of the South. This book was a very strong argument against slavery. Helper argued that slavery was actually bad for the economy of the Southern states. He believed it hurt most white Southerners, not just the enslaved people.
Helper explained that slavery gave too much power and money to a small group of wealthy plantation owners. He thought this system kept wages low for other white workers. It also stopped the South from developing more factories and industries.
How the Book Was Received
People in the South reacted with great anger to Helper's book. It was even banned in many Southern areas. However, the Republican Party found the book very useful. They used it as part of their campaign materials in the 1860 United States election. This election was a very important one, leading up to the American Civil War.
