Tag Archives: Greek Revival

Caldwell-Johnson-Morris Cottage-Anderson, South Carolina

This Greek Revival cottage is located just off of downtown Anderson. It is a rare example of a raised cottage. They are scarce in upstate South Carolina. Raised cottages are a Southern take on Greek Revival architecture. Sometimes known as mosquito cottages, these homes were built off the ground to help keep homes cool. It was also believed that getting the houses off the ground would help keep mosquitos out of the house. I haven’t read anywhere if that is true, but the form was fairly popular, so I am guessing there is some truth to that.

The Caldwell-Johnson-Morris house was built in 1851 for Nancy Caldwell. She then sold the home to Dr. William Johnson, Baptist minister and founder of Johnson Female College, a women’s college. The college is now Anderson University, a school that is still affiliated with the Baptist church.

The home was then sold to Margaret Morris in 1858. The Morris family occupied the home for more than 70 years. According to the 1860 Slave Census, Margaret Morris enslaved two women aged 50 and 17.

Eventually, the home became the Morris Street Tea Room in 1980. According to news articles, you could get a seven-course meal for $23.95. On Sundays an unlimited buffet was offered for $7.70.

Below are advertisements I found in the Anderson Independent Mail of the Morris Street Tea Room. The space was under three different owners/managers.

November 19, 1989 advertisement in the Anderson Independent Mail
May 10, 1981 advertisement in the Anderson Independent Mail
January 23, 1985 recipe in the Anderson Independent Mail

Miller-Anthorne-Williams House-Eufaula, Alabama

The Miller-Anthorne-Williams House is a one-story hipped roof house with Greek Revival details. Built in the years immediately after the Civil War, it is a contributing property to the Lore Historic District in Eufaula.

Johnston-Curtright House-Tuskegee, Alabama

Built around 1850 in the heart of Tuskegee for Burr Johnston, a local lawyer and a delegate to the Alabama Constitutional Convention, the home has fallen into significant disrepair. At the time of construction, Johnston held 67 men, women, and children in bondage, so some likely helped build this Greek Revival.

The faded sign in the center indicates that the house was in the process of restoration, but it was never completed. The back side of the house has completely caved in, and the entire house is now open to the elements.

Callaway-Vernon House-Tuskegee, Alabama

The Greek Revival Callaway-Vernon Home was built in 1842. It is a contributing property to other North Main Historic District.

This is a photo from the 1985 National Register of Historic Places application. The home was built by Dr. James Wesley Hunter in 1842. Based on the map from the application, and the yard in the current photo, I am positive this house was moved to make way for a new school.

Judge William Varner House-Tuskegee, Alabama

This Greek Revival cottage was built in 1853. Oddly, the information on this house is remarkably scant. The last homeowner seems to be Judge William Varner. He is the grandson of William Varner, the founder and first owner of Grey Columns.

In 2005, it was placed on Alabama’s Places in Peril.

Hostetter-Heard House-Tuskegee, Alabama

The Hostetter-Heard House is a contributing property to the Main Street Historic District for Tuskegee, Alabama. This antebellum Greek Revival Home was built in approximately 1860. It began as a one-story frame house, but the second story and portico were added later.