Union in Union County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Culp-Beaty Hall
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, November 13, 2008
1. Culp-Beaty Hall Marker
[Front Side]:
This Greek Revival house was built ca. 1857 for Benjamin Dudley Culp (1821-1885) and his wife Cornelia Meng Culp (1830-1888). Culp, a Union merchant, owned stores on Main Street with partners J.T. Hill and H.L. Goss from the 1850s through the 1870s. In early 1861 the "Johnson Rifles," a volunteer company soon to become a Confederate company in the 5th S.C. Infantry, received its silk flag in a ceremony here. The flag in now (2006) in the Union County Museum.
[Reverse Side]:
In 1876, Gen. Wade Hampton, running for governor, made a campaign speech from the second-story portico. The house passed to the Beaty family through B.D. Culp's daughter Cornelia C. Beaty (1864-1892), wife of William T. Beaty (1864-1944). This house, which features massive fluted Doric columns and a full width two-story portico with large brackets and a pierced blaustrade, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Erected 2006 by Union County Historical Society. (Marker Number 44-12.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Union County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Presbyterian Cemetery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas N. Dawkins House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union County Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Jefferson Davis Dined in This House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union Mill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union County Revolutionary War (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Pratt (approx. 0.4 miles away); Union County Lynchings of 1871 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lynching in America / Lynching in Union County after 1877 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union.
Regarding Culp-Beaty Hall. Access may be limited. Also, there is a lot of vegetation around the house that obscures the house.
Also see . . .
1. Culp House. The Culp House, a classically styled two-story brick structure, was constructed for Mr. B. D. Culp, a prosperous businessman in early Union. (Submitted on November 13, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, November 13, 2008
2. Culp-Beaty Hall Marker
reverse side
2. Wade Hampton III. Wade Hampton III (March 28, 1818 – April 11, 1902) was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterwards a politician from South Carolina, serving as its governor and as a U.S. Senator. (Submitted on November 13, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Red Shirts (Southern United States). The Red Shirts or Redshirts of the Southern United States were white paramilitary groups in the 19th century, active primarily after formal Reconstruction. (Submitted on August 21, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. 5th SC Infantry Regiment. This was one of the first regiments organized by direction of Governor Pickens early in 1861, under authority of An Act to provide an Armed Military Force, passed by the General Assembly of South Carolina, December 17, 1860. (Submitted on November 13, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Culp House
Exterior
The front facade of this two-story red brick structure features a two-tiered, five bay porch with a classic revival motif. Roman Doric columns, pilasters, and a pierced balustrade on the upper porch combine to achieve this classic effect.
The eight-panel center door with transom
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, November 13, 2008
3. Culp-Beaty Hall
The left elevation with paired 2/2 lights has a broad belt course and a plain cornice. The brick of the rear elevation has been covered in masonry and the original stoop enlarged and enclosed to provide a modern kitchen, using old brick to blend with the original structure.
The double-tiered porch of the right elevation has been enclosed to provide additional living space and plumbing facilities.
Interior
Four large rooms with heart pine floor boards open off the central hall. The interior plastered walls of brick are more than a foot thick. The twelve-foot high ceilings feature unusual medallions - a garland wreath in the right front parlor and a heavy stylized leaf design in the entrance hall. The curving staircase and classic wall niche in the entry hall further enhance the classic proportions of the interior.
An identical room arrangement is to be found on the second floor with a center door opening from the hallway to the upper porch.
Surroundings
Large
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, November 13, 2008
4. Culp-Beaty Hall
Gate Sign
Significance
The Culp House, a classically styled two-story brick structure, was constructed for Mr. B.D. Culp, a prosperous businessman in early Union. The Culp House served as a focal point for political activity in Union County during the 19th Century.
Architecture: Derived from the transitional architecture trends of the 1850s, the Culp House combined both Georgian and neo-classical motifs. The South Carolina low country flavor of the structure with its wide porticos and airy window treatments reflects the builder's familiarity with the domestic architecture of Charleston, where he conducted a successful cotton trade.
Military: B.F. Arthur, secretary of the Secession Convention, delivered an oration from the Culp House porch to the Johnson Rifles regiment on January 31, 1861. At this time a flag designed by Union ladies under the direction of Mrs. Madison Wallace, sister-in-law of B.D. Culp, was presented to the regiment. This flag is now in a private collection.
Political: In October 1876, gubernatorial candidate Wade Hampton delivered a campaign address from the
circa 1865/1880
5. Gov. Wade Hampton
(1818–1902)
(1818–1902)
U.S. Senator from South Carolina 1879-1891
United States Railroad Commissioner 1893-1897
— Submitted August 21, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,852 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 13, 2008, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
