Seven landmarks that tell South Carolina’s story
Preserving the past
Story by Sheila Paz
The Lowcountry is steeped in history, with numerous buildings and homes that narrate its rich past. These well-preserved structures showcase the architecture of their time and offer glimpses into the lives of those who shaped South Carolina’s history. Here, we highlight seven sites, each with its unique narrative, illustrating key moments in the state’s evolution.
Cuthbert House
1203 Bay St., Beaufort
Built for James Hazard Cuthbert in 1790, the house was moved to 1203 Bay St. in Beaufort by his son, John Alexander Cuthbert II, as a gift for his bride. During the Civil War the Cuthbert family fled, and Gen. Rufus Saxton occupied the house. In 1863 the U.S. Treasury sold it to Saxton at auction. Col. Duncan Wilson acquired it in 1865, adding rooms, bay windows, Victorian trim and porches. The house passed through multiple owners, narrowly avoiding demolition in 1971 when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1991 it became a historic inn, preserving its history and its stories.
Heyward House
70 Boundary St., Bluffton
Built in 1841 by John J. Cole and enslaved workers, this Carolina farmhouse served as a summer retreat from the heat, insects and malaria of their plantation in present-day Palmetto Bluff. By 1860 the Coles expanded the home with a north parlor and an upstairs bedroom. After John Cole’s death the house briefly belonged to a postmaster’s wife, Kate du Bois, before being purchased by George Cuthbert Heyward, grandson of Declaration of Independence signer Thomas Heyward Jr. The Heyward family owned the house for five generations until it was sold in 1998 to the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society and became the official Welcome Center for Bluffton in 2001. Preserved without renovations since 1860, the home can be visited through self-guided tours to experience the home as generations of of families did.
Robert Smalls House
511 Prince St., Beaufort
The Robert Smalls House, built in 1843 by Henry McKee, holds a significant place in South Carolina history. Born enslaved on this property, Robert Smalls later purchased the home at a tax sale in 1863 and lived there until his death in 1915. Smalls left an indelible mark on Beaufort by establishing a general store, a school for Black children, a local newspaper and buying several properties. He also served five terms as a Republican U.S. House of Representatives member. The house remained in the Smalls family until 1974, when it was designated a National Historic Landmark and later recognized on the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network list in 2022. Former Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling purchased the house in 2021 and then sold it to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for $1.7 million in 2023.
Church of the Cross
110 Calhoun St., Bluffton
Built in 1857 to accommodate a growing congregation next door, the Church of the Cross was funded by donations and designed by distinguished Charleston architect Edward Brickell White. This beautiful example of Carpenter Gothic revival architecture survived the Civil War, even as Federal troops set the surrounding town ablaze. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the church remains an active place of worship, offering services on Saturdays and Sundays and guided tours Monday through Saturday.
Baynard Mausoleum
574 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island
One of the oldest standing structures on Hilton Head, the Baynard Mausoleum has stood since 1846. It serves as the focal point of Zion Cemetery, the former site of the Chapel of St. Luke’s Parish, which burned down in 1868. Wealthy cotton plantation owner William E. Baynard built the mausoleum, intending to secure his fortune and share it with his wife in the afterlife. Today the mausoleum stands empty, having been raided and looted. The cemetery grounds are now open to the public, inviting visitors to explore this historic site.
Discovery House
70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island
Built in 1859 for William J. Graham and Anne Barnwell Stoney, the Discovery House was part of a Sea Island cotton plantation, including 12 to 18 slave cabins. The house changed hands several times in the 19th century and survived the powerful 1893 hurricane as the only intact house on Hilton Head. Renovations were made by various owners, including indoor plumbing and a kitchen wing by Roy Rainey (1905-30) and the Sea Island room by Landon K. Thorn and Aire Lee Loomis. The Hack family added a pool, now a fountain, in the 1960s. Acquired by the Town of Hilton Head Island in 1998 and renovated in 2006, it now serves as the Coastal Discovery Museum’s Discovery House, retaining much of its historical integrity.
Planters Mercantile
20 Calhoun St., Bluffton
Built in 1890, the Planters Mercantile was a general merchandise store operated by the Patz brothers, Abram and Moses. It sold furniture, shoes, agricultural goods and clothing. It was one of the first buildings in the area to feature two full stories, high ceilings, tall windows and entry doors. Over the years it has had multiple owners. According to a June 27, 1947, article in a Charleston newspaper, Planters Mercantile was the first location in Bluffton to receive a telephone. Today, it houses Al & Harry’s Home Fashions.
