Cross Keys House

Historic Property

Alternate Name:

Unknown

Street Address:

int. of Jone's Ford Rd. & Old Buncombe Rd., Cross Keys SC (Union County)

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Site Number:

0553

Control Number:

U/87/0553

Date Surveyed:

January 20 2005

Construction Date:

1812 – 1814

Historic Use:

Residential/Domestic

Current Use:

Residential/Domestic

Historic Core Shape:

Rectangular

Number of Stories:

2

Construction Method:

masonry

Exterior Walls Materials:

Brick

Foundation Materials:

Not Visible

Roof Shape:

gable, lateral

Roof Materials:

composition shingle

Porch Width:

entrance bay only

Porch Shape:

gable

National Register Determination:

listed;

Signficant Architectural Features:

The house has a raised one- portico supported by Tuscan columns. The home has nine-over-nine double hung sash windows, paired chimneys on the side elevations, lintels above the windows, double entry door with transom, and one- ell with enclosed hip porch. 06-24-1971

Historical Information:

The Cross Keys House was constructed by Barrum Bobo in 1812. Between each pair of end chimneys, there is a date stone beneath the gable. Carved into one of these stones is the completion date of the house (1814), the original owner's initials (B.B.) and a set of crossed keys, thought to be the insignia of Barrum Bobo who worked at one time as a ship's purser. The house was the center of a large and prosperous plantation located at the intersection of two stagecoach roads. In 1809 a post office was located at the site. Two milestones indicating the distance to Columbia and Union remain in front of the house.

Source of Historical Information:

Catawba Regional Planning Council. Historic Sites Survey, Union County. November 1976. pp. 7-8.

Quadrangle Name:

Cross Anchor

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