Historic 1755 Landmark, Dorchester County, SC, 1938 Photo

This vintage photograph, attributed to Frances Benjamin Johnston, captures an architectural landmark in the Ashley River vicinity of Dorchester County, South Carolina. The structure, built in 1755 by John Williams, features Baroque gables that were rebuilt in 1868. The building has remained within the Williams family and has undergone modernizations, including a covered piazza and new interiors.

The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which documents significant buildings in the region. This particular structure is associated with Mrs. J.J. Pringle Smith, highlighting the connection between historic homes and their inhabitants. Johnstons work, published in 1938 in Samuel Gaillard Stoneys Plantations of the Carolina Low Country, emphasizes the importance of preservation in understanding Southern heritage.

The photograph serves as a valuable historical record, showcasing the unique architecture that defines the South Carolina landscape.

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.