110 East Liberty Street or Historic Lowry – Ashe Home

City Directories and History:  1958 – Isaac L. Brandon, 1966 – Lillian R. Brandon

This house was built in 1843 by Dr. J. M. Lowry and Louisa Lowry. The stately old home is one of the few in the upcountry built in the Italianate style home. The 5,100 square foot house and several original outbuildings are situated in the heart of York’s Historic District. Once known as “the show place of York” in its days of glory, many grand times were had as guests danced in the “T Hall”. There were sad times as well when young Samuel Lowry, killed at the Battle of Crater on July 30, 1864, was brought home by his faithful servant, Henry Avery, for burial in nearby Rose Hill Cemetery.

R&R HISTORY LIINK: A SCHS Article, “The Diary of Samuel Catawba Lowry of York” by V. Camp, Jr.

The Yorkville Enquirer reported on May 5, 1897 – “General Manager Ashe of the York Cotton Mills says he expects to have the machinery in the mill operating within two weeks. The machinery is now being installed and one hundred bales of cotton have been purchased.”

In the early 1900’s with the untimely death of John R. Ashe, his young widow Sarah was left in the house to provide for her six children and three stepchildren.  The Rock Hill Herald reported on Dec. 14, 1901 – “A charter had been granted to the Farmers Mutual Life Insurance Company of Yorkville.  Officers are: W.S. Wilkerson – Pres., J. Frank Ashe, V.P., and D.E. Boney, Sec – Treasurer and General Manager.”

She took in boarders and operated the “York Tea Room” where the town’s business people came each day for meals served family style in the home’s generous dining room. Functioning as a boarding house into the 1940’s many employees of the Barnett Brothers

View of one of York’s Circus signs….

Circus rented rooms when York served as the circus’ winter headquarters (#37). The Brandon family converted the house back to a single family dwelling in 1944. Then in 1984, the Cook’s used the home not only as their residence, but also as a wedding chapel and real estate office. The “Lowry House” was purchased in May, 2007 by Paulajo and Gary Gross. Documenting the oral history of 110 East Liberty Street continues to be a pastime of the current owners. [Courtesy of the Yorkville Historical Society – 2002]

Informative links; Italianate, Battle of the Crater

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.

R&R HISTORY LINK: Early Yorkville’s Lots by Wm. B. White, Jr. – A COMPLETE LIST

R&R HISTORY LINK: THE RAINEY FAMILY CONNECTION

R&R HISTOR LINK: YORK’S CIRCUS HISTORY

R&R HISTORY LINK: THE ASHE FAMILY BRICKWORKS IN ROCK HILL

R&R HISTORY LINK: THE YORK COTTON MILLS

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.