City Directories and History: The Anderson Historic District has added information on the city’s heritage and this building. (125-127 East Benson: The Centennial House/Christopher Orr Hotel. This hotel had been built by Christopher Orr in the 1830’s. Orr had been born in Craytonville, and he was a pioneer settler in the city of Anderson. He moved to Mississippi in the 1840’s but the hotel retained his name. By the 1876, it was also home to several businesses including a tailor, hardware store, jeweler, and clothing store. While it was commonly known as the Christopher Orr Hotel, in 1876, the name was changed to the Centennial House in honor of the United States’ Centennial Celebration.)
***A.E. Holman’s Memories and Reflections on Anderson history state that the Orr house was moved from the Anderson Square to it new location.
Shortly after building a tavern on the south side of the Courthouse Square in 1832, Christopher Orr built a home on Benson Street, some 50 yards away. It is considered first in town to have marble mantels. The basement rooms were used as office apartments. Orr was father of James L. Orr, Judge, Governor of S.C. and Minister to Russia. In 1844 the house was moved to its present location, several blocks away but within the original town boundary, and is a private residence. – Courtesy of the S.C. Dept. of Archives and History
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