Tour of Homes

43 S. Congress St.

A pivotal building. This hotel was built in 1852 by Dr. J. R. Bratton and Dr. E. A. Crenshaw. It was called the Rose Hotel after the Rose family who operated it for many years. The Rose Hotel was referred to in Columbia and Charleston newspapers as being “one of the most palatial hotels in the Up-Country.” The building is an example of classical commercial architecture with its brick and concrete stucco pilasters and Greek Revival double gallery. This building remained a hotel until the end of World War II, when it was purchased by the Cloniger Brothers and used as a carpet manufacturing plant. After standing idle for decades, it now has become apartments and offices.

At the end of the War Between the States, Confederate States Secretary of War Breckenridge, fleeing the fall of Richmond, spent the night in York and made a speech to the populace from its second-story gallery, telling the people to “keep the faith”. In later months the Rose Hotel housed six companies of the U.S. 7th Cavalry and two companies of infantry, “Occupation troops”, during the Reconstruction Period. The notorious Captain Merrill and his troops continued to be stationed here until Wade Hampton was elected Governor, restoring order. President Hayes relieved them in 1877. The building was completely renovated and turned into apartments and offices in 2000.

South Congress, Hudson, and Cleveland Streets