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Charlton Hall Plantation House

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SC Picture Project / Laurens County / Charlton Hall Plantation House

This seemingly modern house in the Laurens County community known as Hickory Tavern was actually built around 1847 by Laurens businessman and farmer George Washington Sullivan. It was not modernized with electricity until 1950, nor did it have indoor plumbing – with the exception of a kitchen sink – until 1970. The house is notable for its brick construction, unusual in antebellum homes of the Upstate.

Charlton Hall Plantation House

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Sullivan, a successful grower of cotton, wheat, and potatoes – among other crops – was also an officer of his father’s company, Fork Shoals Cotton Mill. His home stood out among other plantation houses in the upper part of the state, as bricks were usually reserved for public buildings or churches. Sullivan also served as a state representative from Laurens County during the Civil War, from 1862 until 1864.

Charlton Hall Plantation House is listed in the National Register, which adds the following:

Charlton Hall Plantation House is significant as an intact and relatively uncommon example of mid-nineteenth century brick construction in the rural South Carolina upcountry, and for its association with George Washington Sullivan, Sr., (1809-1887), a prominent farmer and public servant of Laurens District before, during, and after the Civil War. Brick construction in the upcountry prior to upland cotton production and the subsequent expansion it encouraged was limited primarily to buildings for public use such as courthouses or churches or for commercial purposes. Relatively few brick residences were built in Laurens before the Civil War. Sullivan built this house ca. 1847 on part of his extensive land holdings.

The home’s massing and details reflect elements of the Greek Revival style. Sullivan was the principal owner of G.W. Sullivan and Company, which operated a lime kiln, and was an officer in the Fork Shoals Cotton Mill, which had been founded by his father. Sullivan’s farm produced forty, 400-pound bales of ginned cotton, 4000 bushels of Indian corn, 700 bushels of oats, 600 bushels of wheat, 200 bushels of peas and beans, and smaller amounts of sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and rye in 1860. Sullivan represented Laurens County in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1862-1864 and was a Laurens County Commissioner from 1868-1870. Three early-twentieth century outbuildings to the rear of the main house – a blacksmith shop/shed, a smokehouse, and a frame shed – also contribute to the historic character of the property.

Plan Your Trip: Charlton Hall Plantation House

Where is Charlton Hall Plantation House located?
Address: 1947 Neely Ferry Road, Laurens, SC 29360
GPS Coordinates: 34.494635,-82.179223
What else should I see?
Sullivan House 3.8 miles
Allen Dial House 6.8 miles
Country Store 8.5 miles
Martin's Store 10.8 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Historic Houses
  • See other South Carolina National Register
    Charlton Hall Plantation 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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