Tour of Homes

17 S. Congress St.

A pivotal house. This three-story house was built by Robert Latta, a wealthy merchant, in 1824. The walls of the house are twenty-four-inch solid brick. These bricks were brought from England as ballast by merchant vessels returning to Charleston and were hauled by wagon from there to York. The building rests on a three-foot-wide solid granite base extending eight feet into the earth. The false window inserts show the designer's devotion to balance and symmetry. The home was famed for its walled-in gardens, complete with strutting peacocks, and for its own gas light system for the chandeliers in the house. Mr. Latta sought the finest materials from around the world for his Yorkville residence. The interior features cherry woodwork and rare imported black marble mantels. At the turn of the century, a two-story addition at the rear of the home was built for servants. The crack visible in the south end of the building was caused by the Charleston Earthquake of August 31, 1886.

South Congress, Hudson, and Cleveland Streets