Built in 1884, Bon Haven was a Second Empire home that was built by John Cleveland, a founder and trustee of Converse College and trustee of Wofford College. It once stood on North Church Street. Unbeknownst to some, John’s brother, Jesse, built a twin home on Howard Street (photo at the end of page). Growing up in Spartanburg, I remember riding by this house and getting glimpses of it through the trees. I was always in awe of it.
The home was demolished in 2017. The loss of this home is one of the greatest to Spartanburg’s history and architecture. The Jesse Cleveland home was demolished to build Cleveland Junior High school.
The home is well-documented as there was an attempt to save it. For more detailed exterior photos and interior photos, see the photos by Lisa Jones at Country Living and a video by the architectural salvage firm.
Photos courtesy of:
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
Spartanburg Public Library Digital Archive Collection