Goose Creek SC Historic House 1686 Vintage Photo

This vintage photograph captures the historic significance of a structure located in Goose Creek, Berkeley County, South Carolina. Built in 1686 by Jan van Arrsens, this house is recognized as the oldest in South Carolina, showcasing Dutch architectural elements such as stepped gables. The building, which underwent restoration following the earthquake of 1886, remains a testament to early colonial craftsmanship and the influence of Dutch settlers in the region.

The image features the house surrounded by a double oak avenue planted in 1855, adding to its historical context. The presence of Spanish moss draping the trees enhances the Southern ambiance of the scene, typical of the Low Country landscape.

This photograph is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South and was published in Samuel Gaillard Stoneys work, Plantations of the Carolina Low Country, in 1938. It serves as an invaluable record of South Carolinas architectural heritage and offers a glimpse into the regions colonial past.