Calhoun County Museum
Come and enjoy the history of Calhoun County and South Carolina presented with a personal southern touch.
Built in the Greek Revival style, this house was constructed circa 1850. In the 1950’s, Mr. and Mrs. Rast moved the home, at that time mostly dilapidated, a quarter-mile and built under it an old brick first floor featuring a large, livable family room. The house has unique double windows and great high ceilings.
Built by Raysor Family about 1904-1910. It was re-modeled with Ionic columns after 1910.
Built by Herman Geiger around 1820. The part that was used as a dwelling was the first part to be built. Used as a dry goods and grocery store, the front rooms accommodated the dry goods. The long wing was built in 1821 and used to store heavy groceries and other staples. F. W. Muller added a second story about 1846.
This possibly antebellum home, built of hand-hewn timbers, was originally a store house or a blacksmith shop. Philip Rich purchased and remodeled the house in 1879.
The structure has been restored. The front part of the house and the parlor have been returned to their 1879 appearance and the column boxing on the front porch shows evidence of the Charleston influence. The wooden brackets resemble Charleston wrought iron work. The parlor has elaborate plaster cornice and center medallion, of slightly Victorian design. The 1879 millwork and decoration were shipped from Charleston.
The first house of worship was built about three miles north of the present location of Sandy Run Church on the west bank of the Congaree River, near the mouth of the Sandy Run Creek. The settlers soon found that they could not live so near the river and moved inland. They then built their second church building near the present site on the old State Road. The third building constructed was at the same location on land that is now used for the cemetery. This building had a balcony for the slaves. For a number of years it was used as a “Union Church.” The cemetery contains the dust of the Reverend Christian Theus, who preached in this area until his death in 1789.
During the War Between the States, the ladies met in this old church to sew for the soldiers. In 1889, this building was remodeled and the balcony removed. In 1917, it was destroyed by fire during a church service. The pastor, the Reverend Robert Elford Livingston, calmly picked up the Pulpit Bible, which was later used until 1945, and walked out of the church after the members. The congregation saved the pews, the organ, and the communion set. Sunday services and Sunday School were held in the parsonage until the present church was completed.
The first service was held in 1918 in the present church, and was the funeral of its pastor, Reverend R. E. Livingston. The church was dedicated June 30, 1919.
Calhoun County Historical Sites (cont.)
Property of Calhoun County Museum Archives.
Not to be used without written consent.
