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Fort Hill (Clemson)
Encyclopedia
Fort Hill, also known as the John C. Calhoun Mansion and Library, is a National Historic Landmark
in South Carolina
which was once the home of John C. Calhoun
. It is now part of Clemson University
.
of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. The home later became the home of John C. Calhoun
and his wife Floride Calhoun
in 1825. Calhoun enlarged it to fourteen rooms and renamed it Fort Hill for nearby Fort Rutledge, which was built around 1776. The architectural style is Greek revival with Federal detailing and with simple interior detailing.
After Calhoun's death in 1850, the property passed to his wife to be shared with three of her children: Cornelia, John, and Anna Maria, wife of Thomas Green Clemson
. Anna sold her share to Floride Calhoun. Floride Calhoun sold the plantation
to her son, Andrew Pickens Calhoun, and held the mortgage. After Andrew died in 1865, she filed for foreclosure
against Andrew's heirs prior to her death in 1866. After lengthy legal proceedings, the plantation was auctioned
at Walhalla
in 1872. The executor
of her estate won the auction, which was divided among her surviving heirs. Her daughter, Anna Clemson, received the residence with about 814 acres (3.3 km²) and her great-granddaughter, Floride Isabella Lee, received about 288 acres (1.2 km²). Thomas Green and Anna Clemson moved into Fort Hill in 1872. After Anna's death in 1875, Thomas Green Clemson inherited Fort Hill. In his 1888 will, Clemson bequeathed more than 814 acres (3.3 km²) of the Fort Hill estate to the State of South Carolina for an agricultural college with a stipulation that the dwelling house "shall never be torn down or altered; but shall be kept in repair with all articles of furniture and vesture... and shall always be open for inspection of visitors." Clemson University has operated Fort Hill as a house museum as stipulated in the will.
The home was designated a National Historic Landmark
in 1960.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History states: "The Greek Revival mansion and office are all that remain from the former 1100 acres (4.5 km²) plantation with many outbuildings."
Fort Hill was closed for a two-year restoration project and was reopened in spring of 2003. Fort Hill was named a national treasure by the Save America's Treasures
program, and its artifacts are currently undergoing a comprehensive conservation program funded by this federal grant
and matching funds
.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
which was once the home of John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun
John Caldwell Calhoun was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent...
. It is now part of Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
.
History
The home was originally built as a four-room house about 1803 and was called Clergy Hall by Dr. James McElhenny, who was the pastorPastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. The home later became the home of John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun
John Caldwell Calhoun was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent...
and his wife Floride Calhoun
Floride Calhoun
Floride Bonneau Calhoun was the wife of prominent U.S. politician John C. Calhoun.-Background and early life:...
in 1825. Calhoun enlarged it to fourteen rooms and renamed it Fort Hill for nearby Fort Rutledge, which was built around 1776. The architectural style is Greek revival with Federal detailing and with simple interior detailing.
After Calhoun's death in 1850, the property passed to his wife to be shared with three of her children: Cornelia, John, and Anna Maria, wife of Thomas Green Clemson
Thomas Green Clemson
Thomas Green Clemson, was an American politician and statesman, serving as an ambassador and the United States Superintendent of Agriculture. He served in the Confederate States Army...
. Anna sold her share to Floride Calhoun. Floride Calhoun sold the plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
to her son, Andrew Pickens Calhoun, and held the mortgage. After Andrew died in 1865, she filed for foreclosure
Foreclosure
Foreclosure is the legal process by which a mortgage lender , or other lien holder, obtains a termination of a mortgage borrower 's equitable right of redemption, either by court order or by operation of law...
against Andrew's heirs prior to her death in 1866. After lengthy legal proceedings, the plantation was auctioned
Auction
An auction is a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder...
at Walhalla
Walhalla, South Carolina
Walhalla is a mountain city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. It is located from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina and is also located in the Appalachian Mountains of South Carolina. The population was 3,801 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Oconee County...
in 1872. The executor
Executor
An executor, in the broadest sense, is one who carries something out .-Overview:...
of her estate won the auction, which was divided among her surviving heirs. Her daughter, Anna Clemson, received the residence with about 814 acres (3.3 km²) and her great-granddaughter, Floride Isabella Lee, received about 288 acres (1.2 km²). Thomas Green and Anna Clemson moved into Fort Hill in 1872. After Anna's death in 1875, Thomas Green Clemson inherited Fort Hill. In his 1888 will, Clemson bequeathed more than 814 acres (3.3 km²) of the Fort Hill estate to the State of South Carolina for an agricultural college with a stipulation that the dwelling house "shall never be torn down or altered; but shall be kept in repair with all articles of furniture and vesture... and shall always be open for inspection of visitors." Clemson University has operated Fort Hill as a house museum as stipulated in the will.
The home was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1960.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History states: "The Greek Revival mansion and office are all that remain from the former 1100 acres (4.5 km²) plantation with many outbuildings."
Fort Hill was closed for a two-year restoration project and was reopened in spring of 2003. Fort Hill was named a national treasure by the Save America's Treasures
Save America's Treasures
Save America's Treasures is a United States Federal initiative to preserve and protect American historic buildings, arts, and published works. It is a public-private partnership between the U.S. National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation...
program, and its artifacts are currently undergoing a comprehensive conservation program funded by this federal grant
Federal grant
In the United States, federal grants are economic aid issued by the United States government out of the general federal revenue. A federal grant is an award of financial assistance from a federal agency to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of...
and matching funds
Matching funds
Matching funds, a term used to describe the requirement or condition that a generally minimal amount of money or services-in-kind originate from the beneficiaries of financial amounts, usually for a purpose of charitable or public good.-Charitable causes:...
.
External links
- Clemson University and Fort Hill, at Clemson University
- Fort Hill, Pickens County (Clemson University), including 12 photos, at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- Fort Hill, Clemson University Campus, Clemson, Pickens County, SC: 122 photos, 28 drawings, 41 data pages, at Historic American Building Survey
- Fort Hill, Office, Clemson University Campus, Clemson, Pickens County, SC: 1 photo, 4 drawings, 4 data pages, at Historic American Building Survey
- Fort Hill Historical Marker