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LaBruce-Lemon House

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SC Picture Project / Georgetown County / LaBruce-Lemon House

The LaBruce-Lemon House, located on Pawleys Island, was constructed in 1858 on ten acres of land belonging to the LaBruce family. John LaBruce, owner of Oak Hill in nearby Murrells Inlet, was a successful rice planter. Like other Waccamaw Neck planters, he used Pawleys Island as a summer retreat; consistent ocean breezes provided a safe haven from summer heat and the threat of malaria.

LaBruce-Lemon House, Pawleys Island

Linda Lee of Charleston, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

While staying at Pawleys, LaBruce brought some of his slaves to serve the family’s household needs. The small frame structure shown below was one of five slave cabins on the LaBruce property. Only two remain standing, one of which has been turned into a guest home.

Labruce-Lemon House Slave Cabin

Jack Falat of Pawleys Island, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The LaBruce House was purchased by the Lemon family of Barnwell in 1952. The Lemons still own it, and unlike some of Pawleys’ other older homes, which have been repurposed as inns, it continues to serve as a private residence. We are actively seeking additional information to add to this entry. If you can help, please fill out the form below. Thank you!

The LaBruce-Lemon House is part of the Pawleys Island Historic District listed in the National Register:

The island exemplifies a way of life in its beauty, its setting and its overall landuse. Pawleys is one of the earliest of South Carolina’s summer beach settlements and maintains integrity in the natural relationship of marsh, beach and dune. The unusual number of old houses which have been maintained enhances the natural environment to which they are well adapted.

The building style is a variation of West Indian architecture which has been adapted to Pawleys climatic conditions. The original houses on Pawleys are not mansions but summer retreats, sturdily built and large enough to accommodate big families. Designed for the greatest degree of ventilation, with porches on multiple sides and with high brick foundations providing protection against gale tides, many of the 20th century buildings have adhered to the traditional design that has proven well suited to this environment.

Since the plantation families resided at Pawleys from May to November, the houses were equipped with large chimneys and fireplaces. Breezeways attached at the rear of the houses led to the kitchens. Servant’s quarters were usually one or two room cabins equipped with fireplaces. A few remained at the time of nomination. Other structures important to Pawleys are the wooden docks with open “summer houses” extending into the salt water creek and the long boardwalks with “summer houses” which cross the dunes and offer easy access to the beach.

The district includes the central portion of the island, an unspecified number of properties ranging from ca. 1780 to post World War I, and includes shoreline and marshland since these are an integral part of the district both historically and geographically.

LaBruce-Lemon House: Help Us Learn More


Please fill in one or more fields based on your knowledge. We really appreciate your help, and we will credit you for your contribution. Learn more about our Adopt A Landmark program. Thank you!

Plan Your Trip: LaBruce-Lemon House

Where is LaBruce-Lemon House located?
Address: 546 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
GPS Coordinates: 33.416110,-79.129190
What else should I see?
Pelican Inn 0.4 mile
Pawleys Island Chapel 1.4 miles
Chapel View House 1.4 miles
Pawleys Island 1.6 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Historic Houses
  • See other South Carolina National Register
  • Pawleys Island Historic Sites
    LaBruce-Lemon House Map

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    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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