$2 million settlement ends 20-year legal fight over Castle McCulloch

A long-running legal battle tied to the historic Castle McCulloch in Jamestown has come to an end, removing an immediate foreclosure threat and reducing uncertainty for neighbors and local officials. The N.C. Business Court approved a $2 million settlement last month, and the N.C. Supreme Court subsequently dismissed all pending appeals in the underlying legal actions.

Judge A. Todd Brown, the special Superior Court judge handling complex business cases, approved the settlement while noting its pragmatic character. “The Court is of the opinion that there is no certainty of outcome in any of the appeals and that the appeals involve issues ... that cannot be predicted with any certainty,” the opinion said. The judge framed the settlement as a middle-ground result amid a wide range of possible judicial outcomes and high uncertainty.

The court papers also questioned the practical collectability of any judgment tied to the dispute. “Douglas Harris testified under oath at the hearing on 20 November 2025 as to the status of his assets and income, and it appears that the monetary judgment against him is uncollectible absent the premature death of his wife,” the opinion said. That finding helped push the parties toward resolution rather than protracted litigation with unclear payoff.

For residents of Guilford County and the town of Jamestown, the settlement matters beyond legal closure. Castle McCulloch is a local landmark whose future had been clouded by the prospect of forced sale or foreclosure. With appeals dismissed, owners and town leaders can move from defensive legal strategy to planning - whether that means preservation work, public access, private restoration, or stabilization of the site.

Economically, ending two decades of uncertainty reduces risk for adjacent property owners and investors considering downtown Jamestown projects. Legal clouds depress investment and complicate municipal planning; clearing the litigation removes one barrier to reinvestment and to potential tourism or heritage-driven development. While the settlement itself does not spell out restoration funding, it removes a headline risk that had constrained conversations about the property’s upkeep and potential uses.

The case also underscores policy questions for local governments and preservationists. Courts may approve settlements when outcomes are unpredictable and judgments might be effectively uncollectible. That dynamic suggests a continued need for proactive local tools - from targeted preservation funding and easements to earlier municipal engagement in at-risk historic properties - so that community assets do not rely solely on litigation to survive.

The takeaway? Jamestown gets breathing room to shape the future of Castle McCulloch instead of reacting to court filings. Our two cents? Keep an eye on town meetings and property announcements, and consider supporting local preservation efforts so the community can turn this legal win into a practical, sustainable plan for a landmark that matters to us all.