Oldest home in Richland Co. sold at auction Thursday

EASTOVER, SC (WIS) - A piece of South Carolina history has a $550,000 price tag.

"It's just a great piece of property," he said as he graciously gave WIS a tour.

After what he called "Active bidding" that lasted about 30 minutes, Grovewood sold at auction Thursday for $550,000 to a "local couple," said land consultant John McAllister with John McAllister Realty Consulting. The same couple paid $57,500 for the home's furnishings. McAllister said about 80 people showed up at the Lower Richland plantation for the auction.

But now Quattlebaum says its time to let someone else enjoy the historic plantation home.

He hopes the third owner in the home's 249-year history will continue to preserve it for the future.

"I hope someone purchases the home and appreciates it, maintains the historical structure of the house and can appreciate everything that the house has experienced over the years."

"I've been told this is the best-restored property in Richland County, South Carolina, that's pre-Revolutionary War," said McAllister. "The historical preservation that has been done on Grovewood is unsurpassed in Richland County."

"The home is a modern home," said McAllister. "It includes all the comforts of a modern home."

The property is 22 acres, including an alee of ancient pecan trees, barn and guest cottage.

"It's really interesting when I'm having a cup of coffee in this room (the parlor) on a Sunday morning or sitting up on the upper gallery having a cup of coffee on a Saturday morning, is to reminisce about what this house has seen, from the advent of electricity, the phone, automobiles and all that," said Quattlebaum. "That's something I would miss. It's a privilege to own this home."

"This is a house where the more people you put in it, the more alive it gets," Quattlebaum said.

"I love sharing my home. I'm just a caretaker."

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