- 1. ROSE HILL
(circa 1900) This Dutch colonial revival structure was the
home of Colonel Sheffield Phelps' family. The Garden Club of South
Carolina, which was organized by the late Mrs. Phelps, held their
first meeting on the grounds which were a profusion of camellias,
as well as exotic trees and shrubs. Today Rose Hill is the private residence
of Eva Marie and Stephen Mueller.
- 2. THE FORD HOUSE (circa 1885)
The Ford House was started circa 1885 by A.P. Ford and completed
in 1886 at a total cost of $1,613. Joanne Woodward, a daughter of
one of the previous owners, visited this home often.
- 3. AIKEN PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Aiken Prep School, with its college prep environment, was founded
in 1916 by Mrs. Thomas Hitchcock. Both boys and girls are now
admitted, with both as boarding students.
- 4. WILDS COTTAGE (circa 1924)
Dr. Harry Wilds, a local family physician, and his wife built this
residence circa 1924. It was designed by Architect Deverreaux, a
Northern family friend of the Wilds.
- 5. WOODHEAD (circa 1923)
"Idylwood", designed by Architect Willis Irvin, was built circa
1923 by a winter visitor, Mr. Pitkin. It features a two-story wing
with a French window and balcony on second floor. Across Hayne
Avenue from Idylwood is a brick wall behind which once stood a
house that was rented to Mrs. Evelyn Walsh McLean, who owned the
Hope diamond which she kept in a silk stocking in a dresser
drawer.
- 6. HERMAN HAHN HOUSE (circa
1890) This typical winter colony cottage was built by a Northern
architect, Mr. Dinsmore, for Senator Platt from New York. It was
purchased in 1905 by the Herman Hahns who owned and operated Hahn
& Company, a high quality old-fashioned grocery store on the
corner of Richland and Laurens from which grocery orders were
delivered by horse and buggy
- 7. MORRISON-WRIGHT COTTAGE
(circa 1900) This beautiful house, with its paired Corinthian
columns, exquisite woodwork and secret doorways, was built by a
Dr. Wright who practiced medicine in Aiken and through Horse Creek
Valley.
- 8. LORENZ COTTAGE (circa 1889)
A.K. Lorenz purchased this house in 1916. Mr. Lorenz assumed
control of local Journal and Review along with James F. Byrnes,
who withdrew from the printing business in 1912 upon his election
to Congress. Mr. Byrnes later served as U.S. Secretary of State
and as Governor of South Carolina. (See Byrnes statue in front of
Aiken County Courthouse.)
- 9. HIGHLAND PARK CLUB AND
COURSE (circa 1925 and circa 1926) This short, narrow, rolling
golf course was developed by the Highland Park Development
Corporation. The clubhouse was originally the laundry for the
hotel which stood on the hill. Across the street is part of the
Highland Park Hotel Property, which included the entire hill. The
hotel, which was built in 1870 and burned in February 1898,
welcomed many winter residents who later returned to build the
homes you are seeing today.
- 10. ST. THADDEUS EPISCOPAL
CHURCH Built in 1842 and remodeled in 1926, this is the oldest
church building in Aiken. Directly behind the sanctuary are
interred the botanist Henry Ravenel, the poet James Matthews
Legare, both Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the 1865
Battle of Aiken, and many other important South Carolinians.
- 11. CROFT BLOCK - 1884 This is
a fitting memorial to one of the town's most distinguished and
prominent citizens who was a lawyer and later a U.S. Congressman
during the late 1800's. This building, a block of handsome
two-story brick stores, is still today owned by a member of the
Croft family. One of George Croft's crowning achievements was
sponsorship of legislation in the General Assembly to prohibit
child labor in South Carolina cotton mills.
- 12. TOOLE BUILDING This was
built in 1867 by W. Perroneau Finley. Aiken's first attorney, who
began his practice here in 1837, he was originally from Charleston
and was at one time President of the College of Charleston. This
was the first brick building on Main Street with solid brick
walls. Toole & Toole purchased the property in 1965 and
continues the practice of law here.
- 13. FARMERS & MERCHANT'S
BUILDING (circa 1911-1912) By 1889, a bank was located at the
corner of Laurens and Park Avenue. The Farmers & Merchants
Bank was organized and chartered in 1906. This building was
erected in 1912, combining it with the Chatfield Building which
was built in 1898. Over its 75-plus years, the F & M had only
three presidents, all members of the McNair family.
- 14. OLD AIKEN POST OFFICE This
fine example of Palladian architecture was built in 1912. The
handsome brick edifice, with high metal dome and decorative rail
around the roof, was especially designed to fit into a corner of
the town's main square. The interior features 16-foot ceilings
with woodwork and cabinets of solid oak.
- 15. DEODARA (circa 1869) This
was built by William McGeorge who said "At a cost of some $10,000,
this house grew up under my hands until it became like a little
hotel." It has sixteen large rooms with an open fireplace and a
closet in each. It was given the name Deodara for the giant cedars
that once grew on the property.
- 16. EUBANKS HOUSE Built between
1860 and 1877 for druggist Dr. W. H. Harbors, this became the home
of former public school teacher John Eubanks in 1903. It is one of
the oldest houses in downtown Aiken.
- 17. THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING
Designed by architect Willis Irvin and built in 1938, the
Municipal Building was extensively remodeled in 1987. Its site has
been occupied by several public buildings including the Old Town
Hall that was moved in 1884 from the middle of Laurens Street, a
brick police station and jail, and an opera house where Will
Rogers gave a benefit performance.
- 18. MORGAN CIRCLE This circle
with its cast iron Victorian fountain was named for Thomas R.
Morgan who was Mayor of Aiken in 1899 and 1900. His main interest
was city beautification, especially encouraging plantings in our
parks. This landmark was restored and rededicated in 1963 with
public contributed funds.
- 19. THE ALLEY In 1884 the Town
Hall moved from the middle of Laurens Street to its present site.
In l906 the police station moved to the plaza area. Today,
primarily restaurants and small specialities stores occupy the
renovated buildings in "The Alley".
- 20. AIKEN CLUB ROOM AND COURT
TENNIS BUILDING The Aiken Club, an exclusive men's club, was
incorporated in 1898 and constructed its court tennis facility
about 1902. The sport originated in France over 700 years ago and
is played by only a handful of men in the United States. This
building is one of only nine courts in the United States and is
still in use today.
- 21. COMMERCIAL HOTEL BUILDING
This was built in 1929 by M.E. & B.F. Holley as a modern
hostelry in every particular. Designed to fit into the
characteristic surroundings of Aiken, this new fireproof hotel
contained 50 plus bedrooms, virtually all of which had private
baths. An attractive lobby and dining room were on the first floor
and an assembly hall on the second. This hotel has been owned and
managed by the Holley family since it was built.
- 22. EFRON HOUSE & GARAGE
Built circa 1895, this was the home of the Efron family who ran a
garage behind the house, as well as a limousine and taxi service.
The house was beautifully restored in 1988 by Four Generations,
Inc. The house and garage are now commercial property.
- 23. HENDERSON HOUSE (circa
1893) The current owners of this house built circa 1893 by Edward
Palmer Henderson are the 4th and 5th generations of Hendersons to
occupy this home.
- 24. TRANSIT OF VENUS In 1882 a
team of German astronomers observed the planet Venus passing
between the sun and the earth from this location. See the exhibit
at the Aiken County Historical Museum.
- 25. HENDERSON HOTEL (circa
1929) This hotel was built by a committee of local citizens
concerned with Aiken's growing list of visitors. The grand opening
was on January 1, 1930. In 1960, the property was converted to the
Palmetto Federal banking facilities.
- 26. JOYE COTTAGE Originally a
simple house, this was purchased from Miss Sarah Joye and expanded
into a more than 50-room vacation "cottage" in 1897 by William C.
Whitney, a New York banker who served in Grover Cleveland's
cabinet as Secretary of the Navy. After a few years in a
deteriorating state, new owners are now lovingly restoring this
building to its original grandeur.
- 27. JOYE COTTAGE STABLE (circa
1897) Originally quarters for 30 horses, this has been beautifully
converted to a private residence without losing the historic value
and style of a stable.
- 28.BANKSIA The original right
wing, built prior to 1860, stood on the left end of the property
when Richard Howe purchased it to build a new home. He had the
wing moved down the hill and built a new addition which was
designed by architect Willis Irvin. What began as an unpretentious
Victorian cottage on five acres ended with thirty-two rooms,
fifteen baths, and a full-sized ballroom. The Aiken County
Historical Museum began in the old wing and now occupies the
entire building.
- 29. UNCLE JOHN'S CABIN (circa
1925) Another winter cottage which is still a private residence
with clay tennis court, this was used a guest house by the
Hitchcocks. President Dwight Eisenhower visited in this cottage.
- 30. COKER SPRING This historic
site was part of an original land grant to Ephraim Franklin in
1791. It served as the primary watering source for the Town of
Aiken until about 1890 and was a gathering place for servants to
do the laundry. The Spring is covered with a springhouse
constructed in the 1800's and restored in 1972.
- 31. SOUASH COURT (circa 1897)
Built in the Prairie Style and now a private residence, this was
Mr. Whitney's squash court and was a part of the Joye Cottage
complex. One court remains today as it was when built in 1904.
- 32. HOPELAND GARDENS/THOROUGHBRED
RACING HALL OF FAME (circa 1900) This public garden, the 14
acre winter estate of Mr. & Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, was given
to the City of Aiken to be maintained for the public enjoyment.
The main house was demolished in 1970, after which the City of
Aiken worked with noted landscape architect, Robert Marvin, to
make additions to the gardens. During the summer free concerts and
theatrical productions are presented here. The Thoroughbred Racing
Hall of Fame features champion thoroughbred flat racers and
steeplechase horses trained in Aiken. Colorful racing silks from
their stables, photos of horses, owners, trainers and jockeys are
displayed. The brick wall was constructed circa 1930.
- 33. RYE PATCH (circa 1905) This
winter estate was given to the City of Aiken by the family of the
late Mrs. Dorothy Knox Goodyear Rogers. It can be rented for
meetings and parties. The outbuildings included stables, paddock,
guest cottage (now used as a restaurant and catering service),
laundry house, garage and clay tennis courts. The brick wall was
constructed in 1928 (some say to keep outsiders from being able to
look in and see the Duke of Windsor when he visited). The Goodyear
family recently donated the beautiful Rose Garden on these
grounds.
- 34. PALMETTO GOLF CLUB AND
COURSE In 1892, Thomas Hitchcock laid out four holes to begin
the Palmetto Golf Course. Three years later five more holes were
added, and W.C. Whitney later donated land to complete the 18
holes. The course was designed by Alistair McKenzie who was the
most famous architect of all the early courses in the United
States. The early greens were not "greens", but sand.
- 35. RIDGELEY HALL Built in 1918
for Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop Rutherfurd of New Jersey and reported to
have been designed by Julian Peabody, the son-in-law of the Thomas
Hitchcock's, this building is constructed of red brick laid in
Flemish bond and has a slate mansard roof encircled by a parapet.
There are also two stuccoed frame cottages and a tennis court on
the property.
- 36. GREEN BOUNDARY CLUB (circa
1928) Once a winter estate called Sunshine, this was built by
William Zeigler in the late 1920's with the architect Willis
Irvin. This is now a beautifully maintained private club with an
exceptional dining room. (No visitors except by appointment).
- 37. FERMATA CLUB (circa 1919)
This is the gymnasium of what was once the Fermata School for
Girls, founded in 1919 for the education of the children of the
Winter Colony residents by Marie Eustis Hofmann, the wife of the
internationally famous pianist Josef Hofmann. Fire destroyed the
main building of the Fermata School in the 40's.
- 38. WHITEHALL (circa 1928) This
was known as architect Willis Irvin's masterpiece, built for Col.
Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune. This
distinctively individual house is a charming handling of a
one-story house built on the foundation of a two-story house
destroyed by fire. The residential section surrounding the home
was once part of this estate.
- 39. WHITNEY POLO FIELD AND TRACK
(circa 1882) This field, named for W.C. Whitney, was first
used in 1882, six years after the game was introduced into the
United States. It was deeded in the early 1900's by Mr. Whitney to
a board of trustees to be used for the purpose of playing polo and
is still being used today.
- 40. DEVEREAUX MILBURN HOUSE
(circa 1931) This pink, H-shaped stuccoed residence also features
a stable and a one-story outbuilding. Mr. Milburn was an
internationally ranked polo player.
- 41. NANDINA (circa 1925) S.A.
Warner Baltazzi was an olympic pistol team member and a great
horseman. The grounds are lovely with formal gardens and a stone
tea house at the end of the garden path. The adjoining structure
was formerly the Baltazzi carriage house containing 16 stables. In
1962, it was converted to a private residence with a charming
garden and pool.
- 42. GEORGIAN COURT (circa 1929)
Georgian Court, a two-story colonial revival residence named for
its type of architecture, was built by Robert Hassler, inventor of
the spring shock absorber. The property originally consisted of
the whole block on Magnolia Lane. Unusual features of the house
are the underground bowling alley and indoor tennis court.
- 43. CHINABERRY (circa 1824)
This was the main house on a large plantation owned by Captain
W.W. Williams. Legend has it that Captain Williams bargained that
if the railroad were allowed to come through Aiken he would allow
his daughter Sara to marry Alfred Andrew Dexter, the young
engineer sent to build this seaion of the railroad. The Williams'
cemetery on Grace just before Magnolia is the burial site of both
Confederate and Union soldiers, as well as the Williams' family.
- 44. HABERSHAM HOUSE (circa
1927) This beautiful home was built by Kenneth Schley, master of
the Essex Hunt. It was later purchased by Mr. and Mrs. F. Ambrose
Clark, heirs of the O.N.T. Thread & Singer Sewing Machine
fortune.
- 45. THE TOP TOO (circa 1928)
This was built by the Pinkerton Family, descendants of the founder
of the famous detective agency, and owned during World War 11 by
Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd.
- 46. THE AIKEN TRAINING TRACK
Constructed in 1941, the Aiken Training Track complex was
established for training flat racers and was considered at that
time to be one of the finest tracks in the country. Outbuildings
include a barn with stables, several separate stable buildings, a
walking shed, veterinarian's office, office building, and cottage.
- 47. THE STEEPLECHASE TRACK This
is the site of the annual Aiken Hunt Meet, a part of the Triple
Crown (three weekend events: Harness racing, Aiken Trials, and
Aiken Steeplechase/Hunt Meet) held on three successive weekends in
March. The first Steeplechase Meet in Aiken was held in 1930.
- 48. THE AIKEN MILE TRACK (circa
1936) Now owned by the City of Aiken, this complex was constructed
to train and race trotters. About 1937, G.H. (I'ete) Bostwick had
a turf track built in the infield for flat or hurdle racing, and
in 1938 another strip of turf was added for steeplechasing. This
track contributed to the continued success of Aiken as a horse
training center.
- 49. YELLOW VICTORIAN HOUSE
(circa 1880) This beautifully restored Victorian stick style home
was built by the Burckhalter family.
- 50. "NAWANDA" (circa 1928)
Built for S. Griswald Flagg from Pennsylvania, this was once owned
by a member of the Rutherford family. It reflects the influence of
colonial revival and contributes to the character of the District.
- 51. POPOVER (circa 1929) This
was originally the servants' wing of a house facing Fairfield
Street. Separated from the main house and moved in 1960, it was
adapted to private use in a unique and charming way in 1972. The
front foyer was once the laundry room, and the adjoining guest
house is called the "Potting Shed."
- 52. ASTOR HOUSE This imposing
home in the early 1900s was acquired from the Astor family of New
York by Perroneau Finley Henderson, a distinguished Aiken attorney
who lived here for many years. The home faces the site of the
former Vanderbilt home across the street. Thus this intersection
was occupied (perhaps at different times) by two of America's
wealthiest families.
- 53. ONE ACRE FARM (Pre-l909)
This 2-1/2 story rambling frame house, once owned by Marshall
Field heir Tommy Leiter, has experienced extensive remodeling by
members of Aiken's winter colony. Behind the house is a stable
building that was converted to three guest suites.
- 54. COACH HOUSE (circa 1890)
This two-story weatherboarded house has four chimneys and a
truncated hip roof with plain boxed cornice. In the center of the
five-bay facade is an entrance with semicircular fanlight
broken-bed pediment, and fluted pilasters. There is a one-story
porch across the central three bays of the facade.
- 55. REST PERIOD (arca 1900) The
front door of this house, which began as a modest two story
dwelling, originally was on the Colleton Avenue side of the house
with a porch across the entire front. Fred Post of New York
changed the main entrance to the Kershaw Street side and added the
south wing around 1930.
- 56. SUMTER COTTAGE (circa 1890)
This rambling 2-1/2 story weatherboarded farm house with its
irregular plan has an elevator and twelve main spacious rooms,
built with cross ventilation in mind. Brick walkways, pebble
spread trails and swept paths lead.you around an exquisite garden
and yard to a water lily pond.
- 57.SCANTY SHANTY (circa 1920)
The front elevation of this 1- 1/2 story weatherboarded house is
distinguished by a gabled porch with Tuscan columns and a central
dormer. It has at least four chimneys. An L-shaped garage &
stable, circa 1925, stands at the southern end of the property,
which also has a beautiful garden.
- 58. BOX STALL (circa 1899)
Built for Martha Staubes Gyles, this house is irregular in plan
and has three large brick interior chimneys with corbeled caps.
This was once the home of Nancy Potter Bourne, a wealthy socialite
who was a Ponds face cream model. Behind the house is a vacant lot
that once contained a U-shaped stable.
- 59. LET'S PRETEND (circa 1880)
This rambling, weatherboarded, colonial cottage was built by
Edward Palmer Henderson. The charming, livable home was once owned
by noted novelist Governeur Morris who entertained here the famous
author Richard Harding Liavis.
- 60. SHOTGUN HOUSES (circa 1900)
This is an example of Afro-American folk architecture. The small
rectangular dwelling with gable entrance and porch was designed
for maximum use of a small amount of space.
- 61. NIGHTINGALE HOUSE (circa
1900) This charming, bright, cheerful cottage with its high
ceilings and two corner fireplaces was built by John Staubes, a
member of one of Aiken's earliest families. One of the owners a
direct descendant of General Nathaniel Greene, has portraits of
General Greene which are over 100 years old.
- 62. COWARD HOUSE (circa 1925)
This charming home was built by John Staubes whose family owned
most of this block and parceled off lots for building on as needed
by a member of the family.
- 63. ELM COURT/VANDERBILTS
(circa mid-1850's) In the mid-1850's William Gregg, Jr., son
of the founder of the Graniteville Company, built the large frame
house with its broad verandas that stood on this site. In 1872 the
house became Aiken's first courthouse and jail. William K.
Vanderbilt purchased the home in 1914 and named it Elm Court. Many
famous people visited the Vanderbilts during the thirteen years
they owned the property. Fire destroyed the main house.
- 64. THE WINDOWS (circa 1850)
Villa St. Mark (formerly known as The Windows) was built circa
1850 by Dr. William Percival who lived here with his family. Mrs.
Brooks Thayer, a wealthy recluse, later purchased the house. In
order to protect her anonymity, Mrs. Thayer also bought the small
house next to her large one, hoping the public would be unsure of
where she was staying.
- 65. AIKEN INSTITUTE The
northern end of this large two-story brick building was built
circa 1891 by John Staubes. The southern portion was erected in
1914 and two wings were added to the southeast side of the annex
around 1930. It was used as a public school until reopened as the
Aiken County Public Library in 1990.
- 66. NORWOOD HOUSE (circa 1890)
This charming 100 years old residence was rented yearly to the
same winter visitor, an antique dealer who wore a patch over one
eye. Local legend says that each time you would see him the patch
would be on the other eye.
- 67. WILLCOX INN This was an
elegant inn flourishing in the early 1900's as a gathering place
for many eminent winter visitors, including Elizabeth Arden,
Harold Vanderbilt, The Duke of Windsor and Governor Averell
Harriman of New York. It was established in 1898 by Frederick S.
Willcox, a caterer. The Willcox Inn reputation was built on its
atmosphere, impeccable service and excellent cuisine. This
structure was restored to its former glory and reopened as an inn
in 1985.
- 68. THE NOOK (circa 1900) Dr.
and Mrs. B.H. Teague built this home, which has 6 corner
fireplaces and one out-building which was the kitchen in the
original plan. Their daughter, Elizabeth Teague, who was one of
Aiken's most important citizens, lived in this house during her
most productive years as a teacher and writer.
- 69. HlTCHCOCK WOODS This
beautiful 2,000 acre preserve developed around the turn of the
century by William C. Whitney, F.R. Hitchcock Foundation. This
treasure is used for all types of horse activities and is
available to the public as a haven for nature lovers. The woods
can be seen by horseback or walking, but automobiles, bicycles and
other vehicles are not allowed.
- 70. RAILROAD The Aiken section
of the railroad track, which ran from Hamburg, S.C. on the
Savannah River to Charleston, was originally on Park Avenue. A
portion of the original road bed still exists in Hitchcock Woods.
The track was moved when this "cut" was dug in 1853. When the
136-mile track was laid in the 1830's, it was the longest railroad
in the world. As surveying for the railroad was done, two miles
were laid out on each side of the track, squares were to be 4
acres in size with streets 150 feet wide. These plans helped in
the development of Aiken's 176 beautiful parkways.
- 71. LEGARE-MORGAN HOUSE This
delicately restored, one-story white clapboard cottage once owned
by the family of James Matthews Legare, a well known South
Carolina poet, artist, and inventor, is now being used as a
restaurant. The original part of the house was built before 1837
and was purchased in 1871 by Thomas C. Morgan.
- 72. AIKEN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Constructed in 1881 on a lot originally known as "The Courthouse
Square", the building was of red brick. In 1934, architect Willis
Irvin prepared plans for remodeling, at which time the cupola was
changed to house the town clock, a weathervane was placed on the
pinnacle, and the exterior was stuccoed. Original doors and brass
locks are still in use in the main building, which was extensively
renovated in 1987 when the new addition was built.
- 73. ST. MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
CATHOLIC CHURCH/THE CHAPEL OF ST. CLAIRE The cornerstone for
this Semi-Gothic style building was laid in the autumn of 1905. In
the left of the church stands the life size bronze statue of the
Virgin and Child by Gustave Dore', which won third prize in the
world competition of sculpture in Paris in 1880. The ideas for the
Chapel of St. Claire, which dates to August 7, 1879, were drawn up
under the direction of Mlle. Celestine Elizabeth Eustis, who
commissioned artist
- 74. H. CHRISTIAN HAHN (circa
1890) There were no bathrooms in the original house plans; but
many were added in early years with a wing with a glassed-in sun
porch downstairs and a sleeping porch upstairs. There was a full
stable and big barn on the property for the horses and wagons used
to deliver groceries for Hahn and Company on Laurens Street.
- 75. HEART'S DESIRE (circa 1890)
This charming residence features seven fireplaces, even one in the
bathroom. Originally, there was a cistern on the side porch. A
goat was kept in the yard to pull the children in a red wagon.
- 76. FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH
The Rev. John Phillips, a local minister realizing the need for a
building for worship, secured this location and construction began
in 1866. In August 1893, a fire completely destroyed the church
and all church records. The loyal members of the congregation
immediately set themselves to the task of rebuilding, working from
early morning until late at night. The new church was completed in
December 1893.
- 77. SCHOFIELD NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL
SCHOOL After arriving in Aiken in 1868 to begin her life's
work of providing educational opportunities for the black
community, Martha Schofield opened her school in 1870. The cupola
is the only remaining section of the original school and is now
standing on the school property next to the house on Kershaw. Miss
Schofield's house was moved from Kershaw Street to 710 Barnwell,
adjacent to the school site, where it still stands. She
entertained here many Northern visitors who gave support to her
school.
- 78. ALL SAlNTS
ANGLICAN CHURCH/FAIRFlELD HOUSE This was built as an Episcopal
black mission church in the early 1930's, financed by the
Episcopal diocese of upper South Carolina and the Winter Colony
residents, who were anxious to have a church for their servants.
The mission was disbanded and the building acquired by the
Anglicans in 1976. The interior style is Carpenter's Gothic (by
local craftsmen), the windows have painted and fired medallions
and borders in a field of antique German glass painted by local
artist Nancy Wilds. Currently the property of All Saints Anglican
Church, the modified Sand Hill Colonial Style building features
unusual dormers on the front which are frequently called Pigeon
Houses.
Thanks to the Chamber and City of Aiken for this information. | |
