Mulberry Plantation (Moncks Corner, South Carolina)

Mulberry Plantation is a historic plantation property in rural Berkeley County, South Carolina. Located between Moncks Corner and Charleston, this property was developed in 1714 by Thomas Broughton, who became the Royal governor of South Carolina, and is one of the oldest plantation homes in the United States. Its rice fields, dikes and canals were well-preserved into the 20th century. The plantation house and ten surrounding acres were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1963.[2][3][4]

Mulberry Plantation
Mulberry Plantation, 1970s HABS photo
LocationOff Old U.S. 52 on Cooper River, Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Coordinates33°8′31″N 80°1′4″W
Area10 acres (4.0 ha)
Built1714
Architectural styleColonial, Georgian
NRHP reference No.66000697
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHLOctober 9, 1960[2]

Description and history

Mulberry Plantation is set on the southern shore of the Cooper River, between it and Old United States Route 52. The main house is a two-story brick building, with a gambrel roof. At each corner of the main block stand engaged single-story square pavilions, topped by pyramidal roofs. The main entrance is sheltered by a gabled portico.[3]

The plantation was probably established around 1714, but may not have been founded until 1725, and was built in what was at the time a frontier area on the site of a fortification for defense against Native American attack. This plantation was used as a defensive site during the Yamasee War (1715–17). The plantation house is a rare little-altered example of high-style early Georgian architecture in the nation.[3]

In this vista of the house by British artist Thomas Coram, painted in about 1800, two rows of one-room slave houses dominate the foreground.

Lawrence A. Walker of Summerville, South Carolina, bought the property in 1946 from Clarence E. Chapman of New York, and G. Everett Hoyt of Fairfield, Connecticut paid $175,000 for the house, including 1,027 acres, along with personal property in 1953.[5][6] A later owner, Charles A. Atkins, was indicted in federal court over bogus tax schemes, and he transferred the house to his wife. Atkins had himself acquired the house from Fannie H. Brawley and William J. Iselin for $2,300,565.[7] The Historic Foundation of Charleston bought the 800-acre plantation in August 1987 to prevent its possible development. The Foundation paid $2,800,000, and resold the property for $2,550,000 in August 1988 to S. Parker Gilbert, a New York City investment banker, and his wife.[8] The Foundation expanded its pre-existing easements on the property to prevent any subdivisions of the property, protect a two-mile entry road, and preserve the interior of the house.[9]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "Mulberry Plantation". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  3. James Dillon (1984). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Mulberry Plantation" (pdf). National Park Service. Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying three photos, exterior and view, from 1958, 1969, and undated (32 KB)
  4. "Plantation Becomes National Landmark". Charleston News & Courier. March 29, 1963. pp. 11A. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  5. "Connecticut Man Buys Plantation for $175,000". Charleston News & Courier. Feb 11, 1953. pp. 3A. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  6. "Plantation Sold for Over $150,000". Meriden Record. Feb 11, 1953. p. 7. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  7. Pooser, Claire (July 18, 1987). "Foundation to purchase Berkeley plantation". Charleston News & Courier. pp. B1. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  8. Pooser, Charles (Aug 25, 1988). "N.Y. Investment Banker, Wife Buy Mulberry for $2,550,000". Charleston News & Courier. pp. B1. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  9. Pooser, Claire (Dec 20, 1988). "Restrictions Will Protect Mulberry". Charleston News & Courier. pp. 9B. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
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