“Originally designed as a summer home for the Rambo family….”
City Directories and History: The Rambo house was the whimsical fancy of William Clark Rambo (Bill), owner of Globe Knitting Mills in Pennsylvania, who designed and governed its
construction in 1931 and 1932. Upon completion, his “ingenious characteristics” had become reality. He could control all lights from the master bedroom; the entire house was wired for an intercom system; buzzers were located in the floor and wall to summon servants; fans were built in the wall to force heat into the 20 x 90 foot living room; and the garden area had an irrigation system. The townspeople began to refer to the dwelling as the Rambo “mansion”.
Mr. Rambo’s two daughters, Margaret Ann (Peggy) and Mary Redette, came from Pennsylvania and graduated from Winthrop College. When Mr. Rambo died in 1938 at the age of 55, Peggy and her husband, Thomas Leslie Williams of Rock Hill, acquired the property and the “big house” where they lived and raised their eight children (“Pookie,” Robbie, Rici, Chick, Priss, JoJo, Joanie, and Annie) until Mr. Williams’ death in 1980.
In 2008, the house was purchased by Annie’s daughter, Christi Porter Cox, and her husband Mike.
So, the structure, designed by Bill Rambo, maintained and nurtured by Peggy and Tom from 1938-80, and lovingly regarded as home by the Williams siblings, has again become a place for family and friends to share warmth and laughter, which the house must always have for completion. (Information courtesy of the Williams Family History – 2017)
The Herald reported June 1, 1931 – “The Starnes plumbing company has been awarded the contract for plumbing and heating in the W.C. J. Rambo residence on Rambo Road.”
Note this page has correspondence between Mr. Robert S. Poag (Jan. 23, 1870 – May 6, 1950), and Mr. Rambo in Pennsylvania. Mr. Poag was given power of attorney to run the Rambo’s affairs in Rock Hill and served as the farm overseer for the Rambo family for several years and died in 1950 at 228 Johnston Street, Rock Hill, S.C. Courtesy of the Poag – Rambo Collection: Winthrop University – Pettus Archives Collection, 2023
R&R Notes:
- Bill Rambo suffered from asthma so he liked the Rock Hill climate
- Purchased land from Jim Poag after speaking with Headen Bynum and John T. Roddey
- While visiting in Rock Hill he purchased 451 acres where the house was constructed by Dick Deas
- Originally decorated by Alma DeFrenne, the housekeeper (pictured right)
- The eight Williams children: “Pookie,” Robbie, Rici, Chick, Priss, JoJo, Joanie, and Annie
Mr. Rambo died in 1938 only a short time following the construction of his Rock Hill home
LISTED IN THE FARM JOURNAL 1920 – 1932: Lush Harris, Addie Webb, Jos. Harris, Isom Cooper, Walter Page, Lula Jamison, William Wylie, Dish Harris, F.H. Simpson, L. Shillinglaw, C.E. Thrailkill, A.D. Moore, H.F. Bookout, C.C. Bell, Philip Kennedy (1920), Isom Cooper (1920+), Jim Neely (1920+), Joe Williams (1920+), Boy Harris (1920+), John R. Williams (1920), R.A. Wilson (1920 – Purchase of 10 cows), Hattie Blake (1922), Joe Harris (1922+), Pelza Nance (1923), Lucious Harris (1925), Bill Johnson (1925+), Philip Kennedy (1926), Isom Cooper (1927 – Workman Place), Lush Harris (1928), Hatter Webb (1928), William Johnson (1928), Barry Mobley (1928), Licy Webb (1929), Lula Johnson (1929), Bertha Caldwell (1929), Jim Massey (1929), Milton Barber (1930), Tim Pryor (1930), Mike Stuart (1930), John Springs (1930)
1924 TENANT COTTON CROP REPORT: Jim Neely (2 Bales), Joe Harris (2 Bales+), Walter Page (2 Bales+), Pelza Nance (2 Bales), Boy Harris (2 Bales)
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IMAGE GALLERY – Photographs courtesy of the Rambo – Williams Family, 2017
ADDITIONAL “Older” FAMILY IMAGES
THE WILLIAMS FAMILY GALLERY
WILLIAMS REUNION – 2011
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Margaret Williams Yugawa (Priss) says
In this article the name of Redette and Peggy’s mother is written as Redette Cornwell – Rambo. Cornwell is not her name.
rradmin says
Thank you for the information. Please provide the correct data so it can be posted.
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