Architecture:

            The White Home is the only remaining example in the South Carolina upcountry of columned, double tall plaza architecture of the early 1800's. It is a typical frame, weather boarded, upcountry plantation home.  The home originally had 19 rooms and then the one-story East Wing was added in 1878. The East wing is set at a right angle facing east.  There are wide verandahs on the front and back and in the second story rooms there are two levels.  On the rear of the house there is a step-down sleeping porch for the summer months.  A unique feature of the White Home is that it contains a "Prophet's Chamber." This room was for the exclusive use of visiting ministers.  Styles of furnishings in the house include Early American, Victoria, Empire, Classic, Chippendale, and others.  There are also many priceless items that were added by visiting travelers and refugees.

 Renovations:      The first renovations on the White Home took place in the 1920's .  Seven of the ten fireplaces in the house were closed in and modern heating was installed.  In 1970, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places and the City of Rock Hill planned to purchase the home.  This never happened. The White Home was a gain renovated in 1979 with $5,000 from the Department of the Interior and $5,000 from the White family.  The roof was repaired and the outside of the house was painted.  The architectural trim was also fixed.  This work was supervised by William G. Faile.

 Historical Importance:

         The White Home has a very long and rich history.  It was very important rest stop and hospital for Confederates during the Civil War.  Many families that were fleeing General Sherman on his march to the sea stayed here.  Also, many Confederate soldiers stayed and were cared for here during the war.  An interesting story in the house's history happened during the Civil War.  As a group of Confederate soldiers left the house after being cared for there, they planned to burn it so that the Union soldiers could not use it too.  As the Captain of the group prepared to set the White Home aflame, Mrs. White fell to her knees on the ground in front of the Captain's horse and begged him to spare her home.  The Captain, who was a Mason, noticed a Mason ring on Mrs. White's clasped hands.  The late Mr. White had been a Mason and left it too her.  The Captain decided to leave the home alone because he could never hurt a brother Mason's home or his wife.  Two very renowned people also came from the White Home.  One of them was Reverend James Spratt White who was the Moderator of the Presbyterian Synod of South Carolina and a founder of the Rock Hill Public Library and the Rock Hill Public School System.  The other was Andrew Hutchison White.  He was the Indendant of Rock Hill, the Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, and the President of the State Agricultural and Mechanical Society.

 Conclusion:

         The White Home is the oldest house in Rock Hill.  It has witnessed Rock Hill's entire history and is an important part of our community.  Again, I really had a good time building this web page and I hope it was informative and useful to you.  Thanks!