Rankin-Harwell House, Greek Revival plantation house in Florence County, US.
The Rankin-Harwell House is a two-story frame building with twenty-two large Doric columns made of stuccoed brick running around three sides of the structure. A raised basement foundation lifts the house above ground, and the roof features a low pitch with a hipped design.
The house was built in 1857 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This recognition honored its importance in South Carolina's architectural history.
The house was also called The Columns and Carolina Hall, reflecting how wealthy plantation owners in the South chose to build their residences. The classical style with its imposing columns shows the taste and wealth of that era.
The property sits about 6 miles northeast of Florence along South Carolina Highway 305 and covers two acres of land. Visitors should note that the raised foundation means steps lead to the entrance, and the grounds can become slippery in wet weather.
The house blends classical Greek architecture with local building methods in a way that was unusual for the region. The freestanding colonnade was an expensive construction choice that only wealthy owners could afford.
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