Southernside in Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Prospect Hill
⎯⎯⎯
McBee Homestead
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025
1. Prospect Hill side of marker
Prospect Hill. This site was named Prospect Hill by Lemuel J. Alston, an early Greenville resident who acquired the property in 1788. He subsequently had a two-story wooden mansion built near this point. The elevated seat overlooked a sycamore-lined road that led east to the town center. In 1815. Alston sold Prospect Hill and approx. 11.000 acres covering much of downtown Greenville to Vardry McBee. The mansion served as one of the towns earliest hotels until McBee took up residence in 1836.
McBee Homestead. In 1836, this became the family homestead of Vardry McBee, described by some as the father of Greenville. Born in 1775, McBee founded a number of early Greenville businesses and was a leading railroad advocate. He became the county's largest landowner and one of its largest slaveholders. Several local churches and one of the towns first schools were built on land donated by McBee. The homestead here included the mansion and several slave houses. None remain. McBee died in 1864.
Erected 2022 by Department of Archives and History. Sponsored by Hampton Pickney, Inc. (Marker Number 23-97.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1788.
Location. 34°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Prospect Hill Park Monument (a few steps from this marker); Votes for Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Table Rock Watershed (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saluda (Poinsett) Watershed (about 500 feet away); Reverence for Water: Feeding the Body, Feeling the Spirit (about 500 feet away); Cherokee in the Upcountry / Beginnings of Greenville Water (about 500 feet away); Lake Keowee Watershed (about 500 feet away); St Mary's Catholic Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.
Regarding Prospect Hill / McBee Homestead. Our entry for the nearby Prospect Hill Monument has more detailed information about Prospect Hill and the McBee Homestead.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025
2. McBee Homestead side of marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 18, 2025
3. Prospect Hill / McBee Homestead Marker
The Prospect Hill Monument is just beyond it.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
