Overcarsh House, Charlotte

Located at the corner of Pine and West Eighth Streets in Charlotte's Fourth Ward, the Overcarsh House is a remarkable two-story Queen Anne-style dwelling, one of the few remaining examples of this architectural style of the late 19th century in the Carolina Piedmont.

Named after the Overcarsh family, who occupied it for three generations, this historic home holds deep roots in Charlotte's history. Originally a modest two-room structure built in 1879, it underwent significant expansion and renovations initiated by the house's first owner, Methodist minister Elias Overcarsh, shortly after acquiring the property, resulting in its present appearance around 1900.

The rectangular frame house is sheathed in weatherboard, sits on a brick foundation, and has a hipped roof on the main block. The house exhibits distinctive Queen Anne features, including extended gable-roofed bays on its western and southwestern sides, a conical-roofed tower on the southeast corner, a shallow entrance but unusually large porch, and decorative gables, contributing to its irregular yet aesthetically pleasing design.

In 1966, the house left the Overcarsh family's possession but remained a vital part of Charlotte's historical landscape. Recognized for its architectural and historical significance, the Elias Overcarsh House received local historic property designation by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Properties Commission in 1976. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.