City Directories and History: The Manne Building, ca. 1892, is significant commercially as one of the most successful mercantile establishments in Darlington during the last decade of the nineteenth century and architecturally as the city’s most substantial and relatively intact pressed metal façade. The Manne Building was constructed on Pearl Street after the disastrous fire of February 27, 1892, destroyed most of the business portion of the city. The Manne Building is a two-story commercial building with a flat roof. The elaborate pressed metal façade on the second floor of the masonry building is characterized by sixteen windows separated by paired Corinthian pilasters. Above the second floor windows of the façade, a profusion of pressed metal Eastlake ornamentation occurs. A modillioned cornice, which is supported by brackets, is situated below the front parapet. The design of the metal parapet is dominated by a central pediment containing the name “M. Manne,” which is flanked by section displaying the date 1892. A modern aluminum and glass storefront on the first floor is divided into two equal sections; early photographs of Darlington indicate a steel framework for supporting canvas awnings on the front of this building. Listed in the National Register February 10, 1988.
Additional information: The Manne Building was constructed on Pearl Street after the disastrous fire of February 27, 1892, destroyed most of the business portion of the city. The citizens set to, work immediately to replace the wooden buildings with brick structures. The Darlington News edition of September 1, 1892, reported “Mr. S. Manne pushing work on a row of brick buildings on Pearl Street. There will be five in number and two stories high.” By January 5, 1893, the building was nearing completion and was to be occupied by the following merchants: E. E. Nigels, grocery; A. Hyman, merchandise ; Behrman & Myers, general merchandise; Fred Berberick, baker. Mr. Abraham Hyman is listed in 5th city directory of 1913-14 as residing at 229 West Broad Street. His g merchandise business was located in the Manne Building for many years. By August of 1893, J. D. Joye had moved to Darlington fyom Sumter to establish his merchandise business in the Manne Building. A month later, J. H. Mason, moved his jewelry business into Mr. Joye’s general merchandise store. The Manne building was sold in 1901 to N. L. Harrell who converted the second floor into a hotel. Various commercial enterprises have been housed in the Manne building through the years, including the Farmer’s Supply Company during the 1920′ s.
(Courtesy of South Carolina Department of Archives and History)
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