The Inn at the Craig Farm & the Craig Farm Preservation Foundation
City Directories and History: The Craig House is an intact example of a mid-nineteenth century rural farmhouse with early twentieth century alterations, and is typical of Lancaster County agricultural properties from the period. The residence is a two-story, originally L-shaped, frame building covered in clapboard with a brick pier foundation with concrete block infill. A central one-bay balcony on the west façade has a gable roof with molded-boxed cornice and returns and a wide-board frieze. The porch has turned posts with decorative sawn brackets and turned balusters on the second story balcony. The house has several rear additions: a turn of the century steeply pitched, two-story, clapboard, shed-roof addition in the ell; a clapboard one-story shed addition attached to the former addition; and a circa 1945 addition on the north elevation covered with asbestos. John Johnston Craig, a farmer in the Craigville community, built the house. Craig enlisted in the Confederate States Army in 1863, served in Virginia with the 4th South Carolina Cavalry, and died in 1866 of illness he contracted while in service. His son, John Edgar Craig (1863-1960), inherited the house and family farm and extensively remodeled the house ca. 1901. As of 1990, the Craig family still owned the house. Listed in the National Register February 16, 1990. [Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History]
J. Edwin Praque and L.H. Hallman, contractors.
R&R NOTE: In the Faulkner Collection, there are a number of transactions between N.B. Craig and James Faulkner during the 1850s. One is of particular interest, in that it shows N.B. Craig shipping cotton to the new destination of Rock Hill, S.C., in 1854. Also, it appears N.B. Craig was a boarder at the Faulkner home for over a year. See PDF’s of note below as well as the letter from Ms. J.P. Craig from Warren, Ark., in 1858.
It was built c. 1860 by John Johnston Craig (1818-1866), a farmer in the Craigville community of Lancaster District. Craig enlisted in the Confederate States Army in 1863, served in Virginia with the 4th South Carolina Cavalry, and died in 1866 of illness contracted while in service. His son, John Edgar Craig (1863-1960), inherited the house and family farm, apd extensively remodeled the house c. 1901. NR File Data / SC Dept. of Archives and History
Yorkville Enquirer, Thursday, July 24, 1862
Letter in Lancaster Ledger on speculation
A contributor wrote a letter to the Lancaster Ledger on the subject of speculation reprinted in this issue. His argued there were two classes of people: those who were the “producer and the non-producer of provisions.” Greedy speculators often bought up whole cargoes of items that had to be imported, such as salt. This was to be depreciated. He advocated producers asked a price that produced a fair profit but not an excessive one. Producers, such as the writer, had to pay very high prices for salt and other items they had to import. The writer thought this should make them aware of the problem and they should be willing to ask only what gave them enough to live along with a modest surplus.
The writer was sympathetic to the preachers and soldiers who did not produce but who had to pay from $10 to $20 for a bushel of salt or $1 for a pound of coffee. Soldiers made $11 per month and had to pay from $15 to $20 for a barrel of flour. If soldiers had to buy items at this inflated cost, they should have their income increased proportionally. He opposed those producers who charged current prices, then complained of high import costs. Anyone denouncing high prices should sell his products at moderate prices. Merchants are different for they have to pay high prices for items and are thus forced to sell at higher prices to stay in business. The merchant should not buy low and sell high as some were accused of doing.
IMAGE GALLERY: Courtesy of photographer Chris Lange – 2018
POAG HOUSE RESTORATION: As part of the Craig Farm Historic Preservation program, the old Poag Farmstead is also being preserved. Images are from the fall of 2018.
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.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: