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See historic North Carolina hotel-turned home for sale, built before the Civil War

A historic former North Carolina hotel-turned home, built before the Civil War is for sale by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.
A historic former North Carolina hotel-turned home, built before the Civil War is for sale by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. JOE PURVIS

One of North Carolina’s “most storied buildings,” a pre-Civil War hotel saved from demolition and restored as a four-bedroom home, is for sale for $700,000, according to Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

The two-story Lentz Hotel home is the oldest commercial building in Cabarrus County.
The two-story Lentz Hotel home is the oldest commercial building in Cabarrus County. JOE PURVIS JOE PURVIS

The former Lentz Hotel in Mount Pleasant was built in 1853, according to its listing by Premier Sotheby’s agent Charlie Williams.

The two-story home — 3,871 square feet — is the oldest commercial building in Cabarrus County, Williams said.

Located at 1120 N. College St. in a historic district, the home was about to be demolished at a former location in 1980 when Mt. Pleasant Insurance Co. and local preservationists saved the building, Williams said.

The 1853 Lentz Hotel home retains its original hardwood flooring.
The 1853 Lentz Hotel home retains its original hardwood flooring. JOE PURVIS JOE PURVIS

With support from Preservation NC and the Daniel J. Stowe Foundation, the building was moved and restored, he said.

“Without them, the house would have been demolished,” Williams told The Charlotte Observer on Saturday.

The 1853 Lentz Hotel home is for sale for $700,000.
The 1853 Lentz Hotel home is for sale for $700,000. JOE PURVIS JOE PURVIS

The original site of the home was near the N.C. 73-Main Street intersection in downtown Mount Pleasant, he said.

“In recognition of its cultural and architectural significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984,” according to its listing.

“In recognition of its cultural and architectural significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984,” according to the real estate listing of the home.
“In recognition of its cultural and architectural significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984,” according to the real estate listing of the home. JOE PURVIS JOE PURVIS

Passion for antiques led her and kids across the country

Dora Stotz, a collector and dealer of early Americana, bought the home in 2016, Williams said. Originally from western Pennsylvania, she moved here because two of her sons lived in the area, he said.

Stotz died in 2022, and a son lived in the home until he moved out in January, Williams said.

When her children were in high school, Stotz, whom everyone called Dorie, started a business specializing in early American antiques, according to her obituary. Also a part-time nurse, she bought and sold at shows in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, New England and elsewhere.

The Lentz Hotel home has four bedrooms.
The Lentz Hotel home has four bedrooms. JOE PURVIS JOE PURVIS

“She even traveled to France” for antiques, Williams said.

As a collector and dealer of early Americana, Doris Stotz loved her 1853 Lentz Hotel home.
As a collector and dealer of early Americana, Doris Stotz loved her 1853 Lentz Hotel home. JOE PURVIS JOE PURVIS
Pictured is a powder room in the Lentz Hotel home.
Pictured is a powder room in the Lentz Hotel home. JOE PURVIS JOE PURVIS

Given her longtime passion, she loved her Mount Pleasant home, he said.

The home has its original hardwood floors, and vintage fixtures and historic interior trim, Williams said.

“Modern updates” include a renovated kitchen, bonus room and two-car garage, according to its listing.

Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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