” The razing of the historic Cross home was one of the tragedies of the economic difficulties of a changing economic landscape.”
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Sept. 23, 1880 – “The Planter’s Hotel located on Main Street in Chester is owned by Mr. R.M. Cross. He buys and sells cotton and his wife attends to the hotel.”
City Directories and History: 1908 – S.D. Cross and Nannie Cross, 1940 – Hubert R. Blackburn, 1958 – Alice Bradley Dress Shop
This wonderful example of Gothic Revival architecture was demolished in ca. 2011. It was one of the wonderful pieces of architecture razed due to neglect in downtown Chester and a great loss for local preservation efforts. The home was designed on the basis of a very popular architectural style commonly found in the region just before the Civil War and following thereafter for about twenty years. The home is best know as the Cross family home, whose members owned the house at the turn of the century. Mr. Cross was in sales and enjoyed traveling widely throughout the region. The family was interested in photography and took a number of excellent images of the home and community.
Three households of the Cross family lived here in Chester including the S.D. Cross family on Saluda, and others of Pinckney and College streets. The architectural plan for this house, one of Chester’s finest older homes could have come from two sources, the most likely that of A. J. Downing’s plan books for houses just prior to the Civil War. However, at the close of the war, John Riddell’s Architectural Deigns for Model Country Residences, (1864) was also printed that had a very similar style to that of Downing’s earlier drawings. In either case, the home was a fitting example of the high style architecture enjoyed by much of Chester’s upper middle class.
Be sure to enjoy viewing the history of Mount Holly Plantation and additional photographs under the More Information link. As well as a view of the architectural plan for the house.
Informative link: Gothic Revival Architecture A.J. Downing – Architect
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.