Saluda in Saluda County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Flat Grove
The Bonham House
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
1. Flat Grove Marker
Flat Grove was built in the 1770's by Jacob Smith of hand-hewn, heart-pine logs covered with clapboard. Alamo hero James Butler Bonham, son of James and Sophia Smith Bonham and grandson of Jacob Smith, was born in 1807 in the house, which is today the only extant birthplace of an Alamo hero.
The two-story, four-room structure was originally a dogtrot house with an open hall, which was later closed in when two rooms were added downstairs. Originally the kitchen was separate from the house but in the late 1800's, a kitchen was added behind the dining room.
Erected 2011 by South Carolina Heritage Corridor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Heritage Corridor series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.
Location. 34° 0.491′ N, 81° 41.983′ W. Marker is in Saluda, South Carolina, in Saluda County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 329 and Boyd Branch Road, on the left when traveling north on State Highway 329. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saluda SC 29138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cane Break (approx. 3.2 miles away); Mitchell Hill Advent Christian Chruch (approx. 3.2 miles away); Savannah Bouknight Springs
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Bonham House. South Carolina Picture Project entry (Submitted on February 27, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. James Bonham Butler. South Carolina Encyclopedia entry (Submitted on February 27, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. James Bonham. Wikipedia biography:
James Butler Bonham (February 20, 1807 – March 6, 1836) was a 19th century American soldier who died at the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. (Submitted on April 10, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. Battle of the Alamo. Wikipedia entry:
The Battle of the Alamo
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
2. Flat Grove
Flat Grove, birthplace of James Butler Bonham, has been restored by the Saluda County Historical Society and is open by appointment.
via Wikipedia, 1835
3. James Bonham Butler, circa 1835
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
4. Flat Grove Marker -
Bonham and Travis
Bonham and Travis
James Butler Bonham (on left), twice sent as a messenger seeking reinforcements for the garrison at the Alamo, broke through the Mexican lines on March 3, 1836. He rode under heavy fire beck into the Alamo, becoming the last man to enter the doomed mission fortress.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
5. Flat Grove
Owner Carrie Herlong Boys and her nephew appear in an 1898 photograph of Flat Grove.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
6. Flat Grove
When Edwin Matthews gave Flat Grove to the Saluda County Historical Society in 1988, it was covered in vines, windows were broken out, part of the floor had collapsed, and sections of the roof were missing.
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
7. Flat Grove and Marker -
East Facade
East Facade
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
8. Flat Grove and Marker -
East Facade
East Facade
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
9. Flat Grove and Marker -
East Facade
East Facade
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
10. Flat Grove -
North Facade
North Facade
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
11. Flat Grove -
North Facade
North Facade
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
12. Flat Grove -
Northwest Elevation
Northwest Elevation
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
13. Flat Grove -
Southeast Elevation
Southeast Elevation
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
14. Flat Grove Outbuildings
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
15. Flat Grove Well House
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
16. Flat Grove Building
Photographed By Brian Scott, April 4, 2011
17. Flat Grove Barn
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,030 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. submitted on April 10, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
