Lexington in Lexington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
John Fox House
Photographed By Brian Scott, August 22, 2009
1. John Fox House Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 33° 59.25′ N, 81° 14.383′ W. Marker is in Lexington, South Carolina, in Lexington County. Marker can be reached from Fox Street, on the right when traveling south. Building is on the grounds of the Lexington County Museum, east of the house, along a picket fence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 Fox Street, Lexington SC 29072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton Gin (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named John Fox House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lutheran Classical and Theological Seminary (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (within shouting
this page online
Also see . . . Fox House. The Fox House was built for and housed the newly founded Southern Lutheran Seminary, the second oldest organized Lutheran theological school in the United States. (Submitted on August 30, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Fox House
The Fox House, as it now stands, is almost entirely the original structure.
The building is 2-story frame, about 64-feet long and 28-feet wide with an 11-foot wide porch across the front. Shed rooms are across the back. Two 16-by-20-foot dependencies, a kitchen and a housekeepers quarters, are attached to the rear by open breezeways. The house is covered with six-inch clapboards,painted white. Shutters and
Photographed By Brian Scott
2. John Fox House - Front
The John Fox House was not a plantation house. It served as the Fox "city home" when he was visiting town. His plantation was several miles from Lexington.
There are four upstairs rooms of varying sizes and a hall. A similar pattern is followed in the downstairs front rooms. One of these extends the full depth of the house. This room, thought to have been the Seminary library, adjoins a long room at the rear which probably served as the dining hall. The house has two chimneys, each with four fireplaces. Each of the two dependencies has its own end chimney, that of the kitchen very large. Seven of the eight mantels are original. All doors and windows are original
Although the house has suffered several alterations, the following changes are being made to return its original appearance: removal of an end porch and two bathroom additions as well as interior sheetrock partition to re-establish the original floor plan; repair and re-plastering of fireplaces and hearths; replacement of damaged and un-original segments of wide plank flooring; removal of paint upstairs to expose original plank walls of pine. Also, leveling of the house·and reconstruction of old kitchen building with large end-cooking fireplace; replacement of broken and new window panes with original hand-b1own types; acquisition of antique door and window hardware and stone for the kitchen reconstruction;
Photographed By Brian Scott
3. John Fox House - Front Porch
Erection of a picket fence and duplication of original porch banisters are planned. Except in cases where materials were unavailable or impractical for modern usage, building materials in the restoration have been taken from Lexington county houses of the same vintage. Modern innovations include natural gas heating and air conditioning, electrical wiring and burglar alarm systems. A roof of wooden shingles will replace the present tin one.
Development of a historical garden of 19th century shrubs, plants and trees, and appropriate landscaping of the surrounding three acres is under direction of a landscape architect.
Long-range plans call for such farm outbuildings as a thresher house, a log barn, smoke house, cotton gin, and an academy/school building.
Significance
Architecturally, the house has been rated notable and classified of value to city and state, "an honest statement of the quality of an early carpenter design and a typical expression of the thrift and frugality of the early German/Swiss settlers of the area...a simple rectangular structure of two full floors, weather-board exterior, double-hung windows, 6 over 9, much original hand-blown glass in place. Interior walls and ceilings. ship-lap boards, wide pine floors and notable original
Photographed By Brian Scott
4. John Fox House - Front Porch
Historic value of the Fox House is mainly the fact that it was built for and housed, from 1832/33 to 1855, the newly founded Southern Lutheran Seminary, second oldest organized Lutheran theological school in the United States.
The Lutheran Seminary started in 1830 when five young men journeyed to the home of Colonel John Eigleberger (Eichelberger) near Pomaria, South Carolina, for instruction in theology from the Rev. John G. Schwartz. This being unsatisfactory to the Synod, a search was begun for a new site. The offer from the new town of Lexington -- the sum of $5,287 and property -- as accepted in 1832. This house, then one-half mile from town, was erected as a faculty-dormitory with some classes to be taught therein. To serve as Professor of theology, the Rev. Ernest L. Hazelius, D.D., was chosen by Synod President Dr. John Bachman. Dr. Hazelius was then professor of Gettysburg Theological Seminary. His worth and attainments were recognized when he was elevated to the presidency of the General Synod of the United States. Dr. Hazelius died in 1853 at the age of 76 and is buried in St. Stephen's churchyard in Lexington. In 1855, the seminary was moved to Newberry, S.C. In 1858, the house was purchased by John Fox of Lexington (1805-1884), county sheriff, clerk of court, state senator.
The Fox House received
Photographed By Brian Scott
5. John Fox House - Rear
Note Attached Slave Cabin
Note Attached Slave Cabin
— Submitted August 30, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,120 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 29, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
