City Directories and History: Jesse S. Hix (Mid 19th century),1917 – A.L. Mahaffey, 1948 – Homer S. Blackwell, 1975 – Jeannie S. Blackwell
Built before 1857 (it appears to R&R this house is well before that period), this is one of Lauren’s oldest homes. Known as the Hix – Blackwell house, no contributor has shared information to R&R with a completed history of the home. There is an article about the house in the Reminiscences of Old Laurens (Laurens Advertiser, April 9, 1931). Click here for added information on this house and the Historic District.
“One of the most interesting old houses in Laurens is the Jesse Hix house on South Harper Street, now owned by Mrs. H. S. Blackwell.
Jesse Scott Hix (1824-1905) and Edward Hix (1792-1882) brothers, came from Virginia to Union, South Carolina, and then on to Laurens in the middle 1850’s. A R&R note: (R&R can now prove they were comfortably living in Laurens prior to 1850. The 1850 census shows Edward as a major industrialist having a steam engine to run his equipment, not something you establish overnight!)
Edward built a home for his family on West Main Street where the First United Methodist Church now stands. Jesse Scott built the house on South Harper Street, still in excellent condition for the many years it has served as a dwelling. A third brother, Press Hix, lived in New York. He was a talented artist and while on his visits south he painted a number of pictures which are now prized possessions of descendants.
Jesse Scott Hix and Edward Hix operated a furniture factory and a grist mill on Hix Creek directly behind the Laurens County Library. The creek, at that time, was a bold stream and traffic moving out Sullivan and South Harper forded the stream.”
Information from: The Laurens County Sketchbook, Author – J.S. Bolick, 1973
Take notice of the addition of the front porch and metal roof since the house was recorded in 1984. The original facade is reported to have been removed in the 1920’s and have featured a full length porch in the Georgian architectural style.
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