Nearly three centuries ago, the colonial founders of Lowndes Grove settled along the pristine banks of the Ashley River. Lowndes Grove's first recorded owner, Richard Cartwright, acquired the property in 1701 through a land grant given by King Charles. Then, the idyllic property boasted 170 acres, which later grew to 232.
Lowndes Grove's history is a study in beauty, strength and resilience, much like Charleston's own. In the mid-18th century, owner John Gibbes built a magnificent home here, called simply the Grove. In 1780, British troops stormed Charleston and burned the first house built on the property as well as Gibbes' lush garden of exotic plants. The existing Main House was built in 1786 by George Abbot Hall, an Englishman exiled for supporting the Patriots during the American Revolution.
In 1804, U.S. Congressman William Lowndes and wife Elizabeth Pinckney purchased the property and remodeled the house. From this point forward, the property was known as Lowndes Grove. Used mainly as a summer residence, the home eventually became Elizabeth's haven while the Congressman served in Washington and her full-time residence after his passing.
The property passed through the hands of several owners until its purchase by Captain Frederick W. Wagener. Wagener became a leading industrialist, resort owner, entrepreneur and was an active member of the Charleston Merchant's Exchange. Lowndes Grove's neighborhood, Wagener Terrace, is named for him. Wagener renovated the property was well as kept a private racetrack on-site. In 1901 and 1902, he hosted the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition at Lowndes Grove. President Theodore Roosevelt dined on property during the Exposition and was photographed on the front lawn. The house was later used as the Women's Building by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In 1917, Wagener sold the property to James Sottile who developed the expanse of land into building lots and streets, leaving the Grove House intact on a full block of grounds.
The property had a renaissance late in the 20th century and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
In recent years, the property graced the cover of Oprah Winfrey's "O" magazine and has been the backdrop for an array of charity, private and corporate events. Patrick Properties proudly added Lowndes Grove to its portfolio of history, preservation and events in the summer of 2007.
Lowndes Grove's history is a study in beauty, strength and resilience, much like Charleston's own. In the mid-18th century, owner John Gibbes built a magnificent home here, called simply the Grove. In 1780, British troops stormed Charleston and burned the first house built on the property as well as Gibbes' lush garden of exotic plants. The existing Main House was built in 1786 by George Abbot Hall, an Englishman exiled for supporting the Patriots during the American Revolution.
In 1804, U.S. Congressman William Lowndes and wife Elizabeth Pinckney purchased the property and remodeled the house. From this point forward, the property was known as Lowndes Grove. Used mainly as a summer residence, the home eventually became Elizabeth's haven while the Congressman served in Washington and her full-time residence after his passing.
The property passed through the hands of several owners until its purchase by Captain Frederick W. Wagener. Wagener became a leading industrialist, resort owner, entrepreneur and was an active member of the Charleston Merchant's Exchange. Lowndes Grove's neighborhood, Wagener Terrace, is named for him. Wagener renovated the property was well as kept a private racetrack on-site. In 1901 and 1902, he hosted the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition at Lowndes Grove. President Theodore Roosevelt dined on property during the Exposition and was photographed on the front lawn. The house was later used as the Women's Building by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In 1917, Wagener sold the property to James Sottile who developed the expanse of land into building lots and streets, leaving the Grove House intact on a full block of grounds.
The property had a renaissance late in the 20th century and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
In recent years, the property graced the cover of Oprah Winfrey's "O" magazine and has been the backdrop for an array of charity, private and corporate events. Patrick Properties proudly added Lowndes Grove to its portfolio of history, preservation and events in the summer of 2007.
266 SAINT MARGARET ST. CHARLESTON, SC 29403 ~ 843.853.1810
