City Directories and History: ALBERT W. TODD HOUSE
Constructed circa 1900; rehabilitated 1986
“Charleston’s first leading Colonial Revival architect, Albert W. Todd, who also served as a state senator, designed this house as his own residence at the turn of the century. The building’s exterior, previ-ously stuccoed, now has beaded cypress weatherboard siding. A semicircular Neo-classical portico with smaller side porches, all with Ionic columns, ornaments the front facade facing Colonial Lake. A massive rectilinear doorway with a square fanlight, flanked by oval windows, marks the primary entry, while on the second-story balcony a semicircular fanlight ornaments the surmounting doorway. On the south elevation a two-story piazza, also with Ionic columns, overlooks the western end of Queen Street, while a massive entablature with a deep frieze, dentils, and modillions supports the deep soffit of the roof.
Todd sold the house five years after construction to Dr. William Frampton and his wife Pauline. Frampton, a wood working enthusiast, installed a significant amount of wood taken from the demolished Cooper River plantation house Belvedere. In addition to the cornices, mantels, and wainscoting from Belvedere, he added parquet floors to a number of rooms. After purchasing the house in 1938, Mr. and Mrs. G. Simms McDowell made further changes, including the cypress siding and the present cast-iron fence. The house was renovated as a bed-and-breakfast inn in 1986 and is now referred to as The Belvedere.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston – Author, for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
*** The home at 192 Queen Street, at the rear of the Frampton’s home originally sat on this lot and was moved in circa 1900 to allow construction of this Neo Classical Revival home.
Other sources of interest: Charleston Tax Payers of Charleston, SC in 1860-61 and the Dwelling Houses of Charleston by Alice R.H. Smith – 1917 The HCF may also have additional data at: Past Perfect and further research can be uncovered at: Charleston 1861 Census Schedule or The Charleston City Guide of 1872
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!