South Carolina was at the heart of the Civil War, and many of its towns and cities saw devastating conflict. Yet, through fire, occupation, and chaos, a number of remarkable Southern homes managed to survive. These historic structures—ranging from grand plantations to elegant townhouses—offer a rare, tangible connection to the antebellum South and the war that forever changed it. Each home carries its own story of endurance, often marked by quick thinking, luck, or unexpected acts of mercy. Today, they stand as living museums and private residences, preserving the architectural beauty and layered history of the Old South. In this piece, we highlight 15 of these storied homes across South Carolina that endured the war and remain standing to this day.
1. Drayton Hall (1747-1752) – Charleston
Drayton Hall, located along the Ashley River in Charleston, is one of the South’s most extraordinary survivors. Built between 1747 and 1752, this Palladian-style plantation house is the oldest unrestored plantation home open to the public in America. Remarkably, it withstood both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War without being destroyed, a rare feat in a region so deeply impacted by conflict. While many plantation homes were burned or dismantled, Drayton Hall was spared—possibly due to its use as a hospital by both Confederate and Union forces. Today, it stands untouched by modern restoration, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into colonial and antebellum life. Its preservation without reconstruction is a tribute to its endurance, making it a hauntingly beautiful testament to resilience in the face of war.
2. DeBruhl-Marshall House (1820) – Columbia
The DeBruhl-Marshall House, built in 1820 by Lowcountry planter Jesse DeBruhl, is a distinguished example of Greek Revival architecture in Columbia, South Carolina. Its stately façade, featuring a three-bay portico supported by Doric columns, reflects the classical influences of the period. During the Civil War, the house served as headquarters for Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. When Union forces burned Columbia in 1865, the house was nearly destroyed but was spared after DeBruhl’s widow, a young and beautiful woman, personally appealed to General Sherman, who ordered guards to protect it. Char marks in the attic still bear witness to the attempted arson. Over the years, the house has been preserved and repurposed, now serving as an environmentally friendly events venue, ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.
3. Robert Smalls House (1839) – Beaufort
The Robert Smalls House at 511 Prince Street in Beaufort, South Carolina, stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and transformation. Originally built in 1839, this two-story wooden residence was where Robert Smalls was born into slavery under the McKee family. In a remarkable turn of events, Smalls purchased the very house where he had been enslaved during a Union tax sale in 1863. Despite legal challenges from the former owner’s family, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Smalls’ ownership, and the home remained in his family for approximately 90 years. Today, the house is privately owned and not open to the public, but it is recognized as a National Historic Landmark for its association with Robert Smalls, a Civil War hero and pioneering African American statesman.
4. Rose Hill Plantation House (1858) – Bluffton
The Rose Hill Plantation House in Bluffton, South Carolina, is a remarkable example of Gothic Revival architecture and a testament to resilience through turbulent times. Construction began in 1858 for Dr. John and Caroline Kirk but was halted by the Civil War, leaving the house unfinished for nearly 90 years. During the war, Union troops occupied the property, yet the house was spared from destruction—legend suggests a Union soldier deemed it “too beautiful to be burned.” After decades of abandonment and partial restoration in the mid-20th century, the mansion suffered a devastating fire in the 1980s. It wasn’t until 1996 that the Middleton White Foundation undertook a comprehensive restoration, reviving its historical grandeur. Today, the Rose Hill Mansion stands as a cherished landmark, offering guided tours that showcase its rich history and architectural splendor.
5. Magnolia Hall (1821) – Hagood
Magnolia Hall, also known as the Dr. Swepson Saunders House, is a notable Greek Revival plantation residence located in Hagood, South Carolina. Originally constructed in 1821 by Isaac Barnes, the house underwent significant expansions in 1855 and 1860 under the ownership of Dr. Swepson Saunders. During the Civil War, in April 1865, Union troops under Brigadier General Edward E. Potter threatened to destroy the property. However, according to local accounts, the house was spared due to the actions of Dr. Saunders’ enslaved cook, who provided food to the soldiers upon their arrival. Dr. Saunders, who had taken refuge nearby, later wrote to his wife about witnessing the burning of neighboring homes and fearing for their own. Today, Magnolia Hall stands as a testament to the region’s history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
6. Darby Plantation (1842) – Trenton
Darby Plantation, located in Trenton, South Carolina, is a significant antebellum estate built circa 1842 by Nathaniel Lipscomb Griffith as a wedding gift for his daughter, Anne Patience Griffith, upon her marriage to Milledge Luke Bonham. Bonham, a prominent figure in South Carolina’s history, served as a U.S. Congressman, Confederate general, and Governor of South Carolina during the Civil War. The plantation house, characterized by its Greek Revival architecture, features a deep wraparound porch supported by twelve columns and spacious rooms with high ceilings. During the Civil War, the house was used to store artifacts from the Charleston Museum, safeguarding them from potential destruction. In 1863, the property was sold to George Trenholm, the Confederate Secretary of the Treasury. Since 1878, Darby Plantation has remained in the Wise family, preserving its historical legacy.
7. Aiken-Rhett House (1820) – Charleston
The Aiken-Rhett House in Charleston, South Carolina, stands as a remarkably preserved example of antebellum urban architecture and history. Built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson, the house was expanded by Governor William Aiken Jr. in the 1830s and 1850s. Notably, it survived the Civil War unscathed, likely due to its strategic location and the Aiken family’s political connections. The property includes original outbuildings such as the kitchen, laundry, carriage block, and quarters for enslaved individuals, offering invaluable insights into 19th-century urban slavery. Today, the Aiken-Rhett House serves as a museum, providing visitors with a rare glimpse into Charleston’s complex history.
8. Nathaniel Russell House (1803-1808) – Charleston
The Nathaniel Russell House in Charleston, South Carolina, is a distinguished example of early 19th-century neoclassical architecture. Constructed between 1803 and 1808 for merchant and slave trader Nathaniel Russell, the house features a remarkable three-story cantilevered staircase, intricate plasterwork, and geometrically shaped rooms. After Russell’s death in 1820, the house remained in the family until 1857, when it was purchased by Governor R.F.W. Allston. The property survived the Civil War intact, despite the challenges of the era. In 1955, the Historic Charleston Foundation acquired the house, preserving its architectural integrity. Today, it operates as a museum, offering insights into Charleston’s history and the lives of its inhabitants during the antebellum period.
9. Heyward-Washington House (1772) – Charleston
The Heyward-Washington House in Charleston, South Carolina, is a Georgian-style townhouse built in 1772 for Thomas Heyward, Jr., one of South Carolina’s signers of the Declaration of Independence. During the American Revolution, Heyward was captured by the British and imprisoned in St. Augustine, Florida, until his release in 1781. In 1791, the house was rented by the city for President George Washington’s use during his week-long stay in Charleston, leading to its current name. After Heyward sold the property in 1794, it passed through various owners, including John F. Grimké, a Revolutionary War officer and father of abolitionists Sarah and Angelina Grimké. During the Civil War, the house was occupied by Union soldiers. Today, it serves as a museum operated by the Charleston Museum, showcasing period furnishings and gardens, including the only surviving 18th-century kitchen building open to the public in Charleston.
10. Joseph Manigault House (1803) – Charleston
The Joseph Manigault House, completed in 1803, is a distinguished example of Federal-style architecture in Charleston, South Carolina. Designed by Gabriel Manigault for his brother Joseph, a wealthy rice planter, the house features a unique three-story brick structure with a central spiral staircase and elegant interiors. Notably, it survived the Civil War and subsequent threats of demolition in the early 20th century, thanks to preservation efforts by local advocates. Today, it serves as a museum operated by The Charleston Museum, offering insights into Charleston’s antebellum history and the lives of its inhabitants.
11. Edmondston-Alston House (1825) – Charleston
The Edmondston-Alston House, constructed around 1825 in Charleston, South Carolina, stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and resilience. Built in the Federal and Greek Revival styles, it was one of the first substantial homes along the city’s sea wall, offering panoramic views of Charleston Harbor. The house has withstood significant events, including the American Civil War, the 1886 earthquake, and numerous hurricanes, preserving much of its original furnishings and architectural details. Notably, during the Civil War, General P.G.T. Beauregard used the house to observe the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and General Robert E. Lee sought refuge there during the Great Fire of 1861. Today, the house operates as a museum, offering insights into the lives of both the free and enslaved individuals who lived and labored on the property.
12. Woodburn Plantation (1830) – Pendleton
Woodburn Plantation, constructed circa 1830 by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, is a distinguished example of antebellum architecture located near Pendleton, South Carolina. Pinckney, a prominent political figure and son of Thomas Pinckney, designed the house as a summer retreat to escape the heat of the Lowcountry. The four-story clapboard structure features expansive verandas and high ceilings, typical of the era’s design to promote airflow and cooling. In the 1850s, the property was sold to Reverend Dr. John B. Adger, a Presbyterian minister, who expanded the house and operated it as a model stock farm. During the Civil War, the Adger family used Woodburn as a refuge, and Union troops passed through Pendleton in search of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Today, Woodburn is owned by the Pendleton Historic Foundation and serves as a museum, offering insights into the region’s history and architecture.
13. Hopsewee Plantation (1735) – Georgetown
Hopsewee Plantation, constructed in 1735 near Georgetown, South Carolina, is a significant example of early American architecture and history. Built by Thomas Lynch Sr., it was the birthplace of his son, Thomas Lynch Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The plantation was a major rice producer, relying on the labor of over 250 enslaved individuals. The main house, made of black cypress on a brick foundation, features a double-tiered piazza and has remained largely unchanged since its construction. During the Civil War, Hopsewee was abandoned, and rice cultivation ceased thereafter. In recent years, the plantation has become a site for public tours and education, including a museum dedicated to the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked there. Visitors can explore artifacts and exhibits that provide insight into the complex history of the plantation.
14. Hampton-Preston Mansion (1818) – Columbia
The Hampton-Preston Mansion, constructed in 1818 in Columbia, South Carolina, is a significant example of antebellum architecture and history. Originally built for merchant Ainsley Hall, the mansion was purchased in 1823 by Wade Hampton I, a wealthy planter and War of 1812 general. The estate became a center of social and political life, reflecting the wealth generated through the labor of enslaved individuals. During the Civil War, the mansion served as the headquarters for Union Major General John A. Logan during the occupation of Columbia. In the years following the war, the property changed hands multiple times, including serving as a women’s college. Today, the Hampton-Preston Mansion operates as a museum managed by Historic Columbia, offering insights into the complex history of the region and the lives of those who lived and worked on the estate.
15. Kaminski House (1769) – Georgetown
The Kaminski House, constructed in 1769 by prominent merchant Paul Trapier, stands as a testament to Georgetown, South Carolina’s rich colonial heritage. This Georgian-style residence, perched along the Sampit River, has witnessed centuries of history, including the Civil War era. Over the years, it was owned by notable figures such as John Keith, Georgetown’s first mayor, and later by Harold and Julia Kaminski, who acquired the home in 1931. Harold Kaminski, a former mayor and influential civic leader, contributed significantly to the town’s development. Upon Julia’s passing in 1972, she bequeathed the house and its furnishings to the city, ensuring its preservation. Today, the Kaminski House Museum offers visitors a glimpse into 18th and 19th-century life through its collection of American and English antiques, all set within the ambiance of a meticulously preserved historic home.