James Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Marshlands House

Circa 1810

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010

1. Marshlands House Marker

Inscription. The Marshlands House was built by John Ball on his Cooper River rice plantation. In 1901 Marshlands was sold to the U,S. Navy for the shipyard. Threatened with demolition, the home was barged to its present location in 1961.
The Federalist style house is an exceptional example of Antebellum Architecture and is best known for its interior wood gougework ornamentation.
In 1973 the Marshlands House was listed on the National Register of Historical Places and is maintained as one of our cultural resources.

Erected by S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 32° 45.034′ N, 79° 54.031′ W. Marker is on James Island, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is on Fort Johnson Road, on the left when traveling north. Located at S.C. Department of Natural Resources Campus Approx. 500 yards from northern tip,Fort Johnson Road, James Island. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 329 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston SC 29412, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston

and in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Grice Marine Laboratory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Fort Johnson (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Shot of the War of Secession

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Civil War Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery Cheves (approx. one mile away); Sally Port (approx. 1½ miles away); Powder Magazine (approx. 1½ miles away); Casemates and Cannon (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in James Island.

Regarding Marshlands House. Architecturally, the Marshlands house is a valuable example of a plantation home built during the Federal period. The interior floor plan, the large front piazza, and the high brick foundations reflect the location and period of construction as well as the lifestyle of the owner. The handcarved woodwork is outstanding and especially noteworthy because of the presence of two distinct styles: Adam ornamentation and gouge work. Marshlands was built during the crest of expanding rice production after the Revolution. The two-and-a-half story clapboard house has remained basically unaltered since it was built in 1810. Brick foundations and chimneys, however, were taken apart and reconstructed following a 1961 move of approximately seven miles from its original Cooper River location to Fort Johnson. The basement level of

Marshlands House and Marker (L) Back Door, faces street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 20, 2010

2. Marshlands House and Marker (L) Back Door, faces street

National Register of Historical Places: Marshlands Plantation House (added 1973 - Building - #73001700) • Period of Significance: 1800-1824

the main façade features an arcade of eight high brick arches. Also resting on arched foundations is a steep, brick stairway. The first floor piazza extends the width of the house. Presently screened and enclosed by a balustrade, the piazza has the original hipped roof with dentils on the soffit of the eaves. Supporting the wide porch are eight slender freestanding columns and two identical engaged columns. Listed in the National Register March 30, 1973.
(South Carolina Department of Archives and History)

Marshlands House as seen today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 20, 2010

3. Marshlands House as seen today

This is an old 18th century plantation house that was moved by barge from way up the river down to Fort Johnson when the land was sold out from under it. Today it's the headquarters for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the defacto landlord of the Fort Johnson campus.

Marshlands House image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1973

4. Marshlands House

Marshlands House Mantle image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1973

5. Marshlands House Mantle

Marshlands House Front and west sides image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, Louis I. Schwartz,, June 1962

6. Marshlands House Front and west sides

Historic American Engineering Record, HABS SC,10-CHAR.V,6-1

Marshlands House East side and rear view image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, Louis I. Schwartz, June 1962

7. Marshlands House East side and rear view

Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC,10-CHAR.V,6-2

Marshlands House West room, 2nd floor, mantel detail image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, Louis I. Schwartz, June 1962

8. Marshlands House West room, 2nd floor, mantel detail

Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC,10-CHAR.V,6-5

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,216 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 12, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.