City Directories and History: DR. HENRY FROST SURGERY
Constructed circa 1733 (front portion), circa 1800-10 (rear portion); renovated circa 1833
Information from: The Library of Congress – HABS Photo Collection
Dr. Frost’s two-story, gable-ended office may incorporate a portion of a double tenement constructed about 1735 by the colonial physician Dr. John Martino and subsequently sold to Dr. Alexander Garden, the colonial horticulturist for whom the gardenia is named. Dr. Garden’s principal plantation house, Otranto at Goose Creek, is today surrounded by a modern subdivision. The front portion of the building was subsequently renovated after 1835 when Dr. Henry Frost took a mortgage on this site. The first-floor front room contains woodwork from Belvedere Plantation house, the circa 1800 Charleston Neck seat of Col. Thomas Shubrick. The plantation house was demolished in 1925 by the Standard Oil Company, and the interior detailing was subsequently installed. The front entry door with fluted pilasters and semicircular fanlight probably came from Belvedere.
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
“Dr. Henry Frost apparently built the front part of this interesting little building as his office c. 1835. The rear portion appears older and may have been an outbuilding to Dr. Alexander Garden’s residence. Dr. Garden, the prominent naturalist for whom the gardenia is named, had a house on the large lot that is now separated into properties known as 98 and 100 Broad St. Since Garden was a Tory, he had to abandon the property when the British evacuated Charles Town in 1782. His son, Maj. Alexander Garden, however, was a Patriot and his claim was recognized by the General Assembly. Garden’ s house was demolished in the early 19th century. The rear part of 98 Broad, which has a hipped roof and an oversized chimney, may be the only remains of Garden’s occupancy. The front portion is in the Greek Revival style typical of Dr. Frost’s period. The first floor of the building contains Adamesque style woodwork from Belvedere, the c. 1800 plantation house of Col. Thomas Shubrick on Charleston Neck. The house was purchased by Standard Oil Co. in 1925 and demolished. Dr. William Horlbeck Frampton, who was Standard Oil’s physician, rescued woodwork from the plantation house and installed some in his office here, some in his residence at 40 Rutledge Ave., and other portions subsequently in his home at 98 King St.” (Stockton, unpub. MS; ______, DYKYC, June 5, 1978. – CCPL
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.
R&R HISTORY LINK: SCHS Mag. article; “Naturalist, Hannah English Williams of Charleston” by B.S. Smith
R&R HISTORY LINK: SCHS Mag. article; “Alexander Garden, M.D.” by J.I. Waring
R&R HISTORY THREAD: The Frost House
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: