“An excellent example of a rarely remaining 19th century store architecture.”
City Directories and History: 1913 – Florence H. Price, 1925 – Florence Price, 1941 – Florence Price, 1964 – Vacant, Price House
This is Camden’s remaining example of a combination store-residence. It is typical of the Charleston-style architecture used by local merchants in the early 19th century. The store occupied the first floor, while an outside stairway led to the living quarters above. The building was renovated in 1964 and again in 1989. It is owned by the City of Camden and managed by the Price House Commission. Weddings and other community
functions are often held here. [Courtesy of the Camden Tour Book]
Additional data: This building, known as the Price House, currently serves as a meeting hall and accommodates the Economic Development offices of the City of Camden. It was built about 1830, following a fire that destroyed much of Camden’s commercial district that extended along lower Broad Street. The building is one of
few examples of combined commercial/residential purpose edifices designed in Federal-period architecture in central South Carolina. The lower story served as a business with the family home on the second story. The property was advertised for sale in Jan. of 1835, by John D. Winn, in which the subscriber states the building was erected in 1829 for the purpose of serving as a mercantile. Later records suggest by 1838 the building was used as a tavern.
Deed research tracts the ownership from Herman Holliman and Benjamin Gass to James Conner (1838); Conner to Patrick Lynch (1862); Lynch to Lollis (1875); and Lollis to Woodward Holland and Harrison Hall (1880). Susan Price acquired the property in circa 1891 and it is from her family that the building takes its name. Florence Price, the last member of the Price family to reside there, operated a community store in the lower story from about 1910 into the late 1 940’s. In the 1 960’s, the City of Camden acquired the building and restored it. It was first used as a neighborhood recreation center and then, following a fire, was restored again for use as the chamber of commerce. The Price House was dedicated on Sunday June 17, 1990 following extensive restoration work. There is extensive research and articles available at the Camden Archives and Museum dealing with this important structure.
—————
Architecturally and militarily significant, Camden was a center of activity in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and its architecture reflects the two centuries of its growth. The city was named in honor of Lord Camden, British champion of colonial rights. In 1774 wide streets were laid off in a grid pattern. The town expanded northward as shown in a 1798 plat. The plat set aside six parks which formed the basis for the city’s present 178 acres of beautiful parkland. Most of the original town was destroyed by the fire of 1813. This accelerated growth northward to the Kirkwood area, north of Chesnut Street. Originally, the houses in this area were summer cottages, but by 1840 Kirkwood was a year-round residential area of handsome mansions and elaborate gardens. Many of the mansions were built around the cottages, which still survive at their core. Contributing properties are mostly residential but also include public buildings, a church, and a cemetery. Camden’s architecture is classically inspired and includes examples of Federal and Classical Revival, in addition to cottage-type, Georgian, Charleston-type with modifications, and mansion-type houses. Several of the city’s buildings were designed by noted architect Robert Mills. Listed in the National Register May 6, 1971. Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and HistoryView a map showing the boundaries of the Camden Historic District.
View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property to read about numerous structures in Camden, S.C.
See an aerial image of Broad Street in the 1940’s under the More Information link, found under the primary image.
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: