Large home in South Carolina prior to fire

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Located in a downtown section of florence, South Carolina, the Dr. Benjamin Gregg House is a notable example of the Beaux Arts style of residential architecture. Constructed circa 1907, the Gregg House was built by Dr. Benjamin Gregg, a prominent physician and pharmacist in Florence.

The Gregg House was constructed as a private residence between 1905 and 1908 by Dr. Benjamin Gregg, a leading citizen of the town of Florence. Born in May 1860, Benjamin Gregg was educated at Mercer University, New York University, and the Bellvue Hospital. Upon completion of his education, Gregg set up a medical practice and pharmacy in Florence. Gregg's practice prospered and he eventually was appointed as surgeon for both Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and Seaboard Railroad. Gregg was also a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the local chapter of Masons.

Following the death of Dr. Gregg in 1933, his widow sold the property to Edith McEachern, Mrs. McEachern used the house as a residence until her death in 1973. Her husband continued to reside there until his death in 1975. Although only a portion of the Gregg House is currently being used as an apartment, several local individuals have preliminary plans to purchase the property with the intent of utilizing the entire building for adaptive use.

In 1980 a fire broke out in the home, destroying it.

Building Description

This fashionable wood frame residence of the early 20^th Century is the style of Beaux Arts Classicism. The projecting two-story portico is supported on each side by three Roman Ionic fluted columns of monumental proportion which form the typical "coupled" columns of the style when viewed from either front or side. The portico is topped by a balustraded parapet with sections divided by pedestals in an elaborate fret design.

A lower porch extends across the front of the house and is covered by the larger portico. This lower porch wraps around the corners of the house and ties into the porte cochere on the right side, Both lower porch and porte cochere have small unfluted columns matching the larger portico columns, and both are topped by a balustrade of simple square picket design with pedestals above each column. The hipped roof of the main house has a center flat deck with a balustrade matching the lower front porch. The chimneys are not symmetrical, but their caps duplicate those of the balustrade pedestals. All cornices are denticulated in graduated proportion with the columns. Leaded beveled glass is found in the front windows on the lower floor, the sidelights and transom of the entrance, as well as the entrance door.

The rear of the house is also symmetrical and features twin two-story wings separated by a flat-roofed enclosed porch and bathroom section.

The interior is distinguished by mantels having engaged columns in a classicism that ties through with the exterior. One mantel has cabinets above, glazed with the same beveled and leaded glass as the front windows. The front rooms have marquetry floors with border patterns, and these rooms are connected by pairs of sliding pocket doors.

Located on what was once a residential street in downtown Florence, the Gregg House is surrounded by other residences of the early 20^th Century period which have since been converted to commercial-professional businesses. The yard, however, has remained intact and features a two-story garage apartment, many large trees and shrubs, and a lattice fence.

(1978)

(1978)

(1978)

(1978)

(1978)

(1978)