Robert Smalls House

The Robert Smalls House is a residence built around 1834 at 511 Prince Street featuring architectural styles typical of antebellum South Carolina homes. The two-story structure displays period details including window patterns and porches characteristic of the era.

Smalls purchased the house in 1864 for 605 dollars using funds from a Congressional reward he received after escaping slavery aboard The Planter. This acquisition marked his transition from enslaved person to property owner and reflected his new status as a free man.

The residence represents Black American advancement during Reconstruction, as Smalls rose from enslaved person to U.S. Representative and became a prominent community figure. His family's life here embodied the possibilities of freedom and self-determination.

The house is privately owned and visits require advance arrangements made through local historical organizations or tourism offices. Travelers planning to see the site should contact local Beaufort tourism resources beforehand to confirm access and visit arrangements.

The house stands out because Smalls later purchased the very property where he had previously lived and worked as an enslaved person. This transformation from servitude to ownership under the same roof represents one of the most striking personal journeys of the Reconstruction period.

Location: Beaufort

GPS coordinates: 32.43528,-80.66833

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41