Society Hill in Darlington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Japonica Hall / Maj. J.J. Lucas
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010
1. Japonica Hall / Maj. J.J. Lucas Marker (front)
Japonica Hall. This house, built in 1896-97 and designed in the Beaux Arts style by noted S.C. architect Charles Coker Wilson, was the home of Maj. James Jonathan Lucas (1831-1914). An earlier house here, which burned in 1892, had been the home of Dr. Thomas Smith (d. 1875), who married the widow of Judge Samuel Wilds. Lucas served Charleston District as a state representative 1856-1862.
Maj. J.J. Lucas. In 1862, Lucas, a Citadel graduate, organized and became major of Lucas' Battalion of Heavy Artillery, which spent most of the Civil War on James Island near Charleston. Maj. Lucas moved to Society Hill in 1865, and later served as a director of the Cheraw & Darlington RR and Atlantic Coast Line RR. Japonica Hall was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Erected 1999 by the Darlington County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16-39.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 34° 30.338′ N, 79° 51.508′ W. Marker is in Society Hill, South Carolina, in Darlington County. Marker is on South Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. David's Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); Society Hill Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Caleb Coker House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Society Hill Library Society (approx. 0.3 miles away); Zachariah W. Wines (approx. 0.4 miles away); Trinity Church (approx. half a mile away); Henry C. Burn House (approx. half a mile away); Lawrence Faulkner / Simon Brown (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Society Hill.
Also see . . . Japonica Hall National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. (Submitted on November 21, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. National register of Historic Places:
Japonica Hall ** (added 1989 - Building - #89002153)
Also known as Major J.J. Lucas House;see also:Welsh Neck-Long Bluff-Societ
S. Main St., Society Hill
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Wilson,Charles Coker
Architectural Style: Beaux Arts, Other
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1875-1899
Owner:
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010
2. Japonica Hall / Maj. J.J. Lucas Marker (reverse)
Historic Function: Domestic
Historic Sub-function: Single Dwelling
Current Function: Domestic
Current Sub-function: Single Dwelling
— Submitted January 14, 2011.
Photographed By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010
3. Japonica Hall Gates
The gates were locked and view of the house was blocked by trees.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,376 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2010, by David Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
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