Cordesville SC 1760 Abandoned Structure Photo

This vintage photograph, attributed to Frances Benjamin Johnston, captures an abandoned structure in Cordesville, Berkeley County, South Carolina. The building dates back to 1760 and showcases the architectural style of the period. Originally settled by Huguenot physician Antoine Cordes, the estate transitioned to Francis Cordes in 1796, who later enhanced the property by constructing elaborate gate posts and a grand portico supported by six massive columns in 1811.

This image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, a collection aimed at documenting the historical architecture of the region. The photograph offers a glimpse into the rich history of plantations in the Carolina Low Country, as well as insights into early American settlement patterns and architectural trends.

Published in Samuel Gaillard Stoneys Plantations of the Carolina Low Country in 1938, this photograph serves as a historical record of the areas architectural heritage.

KNOWOLs historic images connect the rich stories and imagery of our past. A statement in any room, each is printed on museum-quality paper using a restored version of the original.