Rip Raps Plantation

Rip Raps Plantation is a two-story frame residence featuring twin facades in Greek Revival style, each with a full-width columned porch supported by six paneled piers. The main house sits on a property with several outbuildings that make up the complete historic complex.

The main house was built in 1858, though the land had been granted to Peter Mellette decades earlier in the 1750s. The property later became known as the residence of author James McBride Dabbs during the late 1800s and mid-1900s.

Four original outbuildings remain on the property, including a log smokehouse and carriage house that reflect traditional Southern construction practices. These structures offer insight into the daily operations and workings of a historic plantation estate.

The property sits off U.S. Highway 378 near Mayesville and is privately owned. Anyone wishing to visit or conduct research should arrange permission in advance before arriving.

The main residence features symmetrical design with identical front and rear facades, an uncommon approach in plantation homes of that period. This mirror-image styling creates an unusual architectural feature that distinguishes the house from other Southern estates of the same era.

Location: Sumter County

GPS coordinates: 33.90000,-80.15000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:46