One of the best ways to experience a town is to explore it on foot. Beaufort, SC is no exception. Full of beautiful homes and lots of history, Beaufort is a great place for a walking tour. Listed below is a selection of some of the amazing structures you’ll see in the historic sections of Beaufort. You can check out an interactive map of these properties here.
Edward Barnwell-Geddes Dowling House (1405 Bay St.)
Built in the early 1800s, this house was once divided into two parts by a dividing wall put up by two brothers who couldn’t stand each other. It was also used as a signal station by the Union army during the Civil War. Since it has been home to several families including a Broadway actress and a poet (who wrote about ghosts in the house!).
Tabby manse (1211 Bay St.)
Built in 1788 by Thomas Fuller, a wealthy local planter, the exterior walls of this structure are composed of tabby—a combination of shells and limestone—though they have since been covered with stucco.
Secession house (1113 Craven St.)
Also known as the Maxcy Rhett House, this home was built in 1810 as a school for boys. It was purchased in the 1840s by the brother of US Senator Robert Barnwell Rhett. The very first meeting in favor of secession took place inside this house and it served as a hospital and officer quarters during the Civil War. There are even messages written on the walls inside from soldiers and politicians that date back to the 1860s.
Parish Church of St. Helena (505 Church St.)
Originally established in 1712 as a colonial parish of the Church of England, St. Helena is one of the oldest active churches in the United States. During the Union occupation during the Civil War, the church was converted to a hospital. A cemetery surrounds the church including graves that date back to 1724.
Cuthbart Scheper House (915 Port Republic St.)
Originally owned by the Cuthbart family, they evacuated when Beaufort was taken over by the Union army and after that the house was used as a bakery for the troops. After the war was over, the house was purchased by the Schepers and served as a warehouse in the shipping industry.
Tabernacle Baptist Church (907 Craven St)
Originally built in 1811, during the Union occupation of the city, this church became a center for African American religious activities. It was officially organized as the Tabernacle Baptist Church in 1863. Robert Smalls is buried in the church cemetery and a memorial dedicated to his memory can be found here.
Beaufort Arsenal/Beaufort History Museum (713 Craven Street)
The Arsenal, that now serves as Beaufort’s History Museum, was originally built in 1798 to house the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery after the Revolutionary War. The Civil War brought renewed purpose to the building and it was repaired and expanded by local secessionists that patrolled the city monitoring slaves.
Verdier House (801 Bay Street)
Built in 1804 by a wealthy local businessman, John Verdier, prominent in the indigo trade and growing and sale of cotton, the house has been restored to its original grandeur and is open to the public. The home served as Union headquarters during the Civil War and was also the first house in the city to have a telephone.
Waterfront Park
This park extends along the waterfront in downtown Beaufort and offers a great place to sit and relax.
Stephen Elliott Park (600 Bay St.)
Also called ‘Cannon Park’ this greenspace contains cannons salvaged from a British Navy warship named Vigilant that served in the Revolutionary War.
Lewis Reeve Sams House (601 Bay Street)
Built in 1852 by a wealthy local planter, this house was used as a Union hospital during the Civil War. After the war, it was reclaimed by the original family and eventually sold to a businessman. Stories claim the house survived being consumed by the fire of 1907 thanks to the efforts of cotton gin workers who formed a bucket brigade to save the structure. The house was a featured location in the movie Prince of Tides based off the Pat Conroy novel of the same name.
Joseph Johnson House (411 Craven St.)
Also known as “The Castle,” this magnificent house and its gardens occupy an entire city block. It was finished in 1861 and was shortly thereafter taken over by the Union army for use as a hospital. The original owners were able to reacquire the house after the war and many of the trees in the garden were planted at this time, including two olive trees said to come from the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem.
First African Baptist Church (601 New St.)
In 1865, freed slaves came together to purchase land and build the First African Baptist Church. Most of the building is original, having only been updated over the years. Robert Smalls was one of the church’s earliest members.
Robert Smalls House (511 Prince Street)
Born into slavery, Robert Smalls spent the early years of his life serving in this house. Smalls eventually went on to commandeer a Confederate ship, join the Union Navy, and serve as a member of congress. He later returned to Beaufort to purchase his former master’s home.
John Archibald Johnson House (804 Pinckney Street)
Built in the 1850s, this home was used as a Union hospital during the Civil War. It was nearly demolished in 1973 after a chimney collapsed, but was saved by the historic society and eventually remodeled.
Elizabeth Hext House (207 Hancock St.)
Also called “Riverview” due to its location, this small house is one of the oldest in Beaufort…originally built in 1720.
Edgar Fripp House (1 Laurens St)
Originally built in 1853, legend has it that this home was purchased at auction after the Civil War by a Frenchman, who returned it to its original owner and refused any repayment.
The Oaks (100 Laurens St)
Originally built in 1855, this beautiful home right on the water was used as a Union hospital during the army’s occupation of Beaufort. Thanks to the intervention and generosity of several local businessmen, it was able to be returned to its original owners after the war.
Marshlands (501 Pickney St.)
Completed in 1814, this house was built by a wealthy local businessman and planter, John Verdier, for one of his sons, Dr. James Verdier, who helped pioneer a treatment for yellow fever. In recent history, the house has been called ‘Marshlands’ after a fictional home in the novel A Sea Island Lady by Francis Griswold.
More houses and history
Beaufort is filled with many more beautiful homes and history. Check out the Beaufort Online’s History page for lots more information. Or take a guided tour of the town from one of several different operators…from walking tours to horse drawn carriage tours.
