Simmons-Edwards House facts for kids
|
Simmons-Edwards House
|
|
|
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
|
 |
|
 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 12–14 Legare St., Charleston, South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Built | 1800 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | Charleston Historic District (ID66000964) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000753 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | January 25, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHLDCP | October 9, 1960 |
The Simmons-Edwards House is a large, beautiful home in Charleston, South Carolina. It was built around 1800 for Francis Simmons, a farmer from Johns Island. This house is a special type called a Charleston single house, which means it's narrow and has its main entrance on the side.
The house is located at 14 Legare Street. It is very well known for its amazing brick gates. These gates have fancy wrought iron designs. People often call the house the Pineapple Gates House because of these unique gates.
Contents
The Famous Pineapple Gates
The special gates at the Simmons-Edwards House were added by George Edwards. He owned the house until 1835. You can even see his initials on the gates!
The tops of the gates have carvings that look like Italian pinecones. However, many local people think they look like pineapples. This is why the house got its popular nickname, the Pineapple Gates House.
.jpg)
A House with History
The Simmons-Edwards House is very important. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1973. This means it's a place recognized for its special history and architecture.
Many interesting people have lived in this house over the years. One famous owner was James Adger Smyth. He was the mayor of Charleston from 1879 until he passed away in 1920.
Changing Hands and High Prices
In 1951, Dr. L.S. Fuller and Mrs. Josephine Wilson sold the house for $50,000. It was bought by Bushrod B. Howard, who worked for Standard Oil, and his wife.
Later, the Howards sold the house for $100,000. At that time, this was the highest price ever paid for a house in Charleston! The new owner was Nancy Stevenson. She was the lieutenant governor of South Carolina for a while.
In April 1987, a real estate agent named Thomas R. Bennett bought the house for $800,000. Just two years later, in May 1989, he sold it for $2 million to William and Cynthia Gilliam. Again, this was the highest price paid for a Charleston house at that time!
The Gilliams then sold the house in September 1990 for $2,050,000 to Andrew Crispo, an art dealer.
Restoring the Gardens
In April 1997, John L. Thornton, who worked for a big company called Goldman Sachs, bought the house. He paid $3.1 million for it. This was yet another record-breaking price for a house in Charleston!
The Thorntons worked hard to restore the gardens around the house. They did a lot of research to make sure the gardens looked just right.
According to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, George Edwards bought the property in 1816. He made the property bigger and created a beautiful garden. A special wrought iron fence with unique columns separated the garden from the house yard.
| Preceded by ' |
Most Expensive House in Charleston, South Carolina April 1997-July 2001 |
Succeeded by Charles Pinckney House |
