Look-Away Hall
Historic Property
Alternate Name:
Mealing House
Street Address:
north side of Forest Avenue, between Georgia Avenue and Carolina Avenue, North Augusta, SC
Site Number:
S108042001100101
Site Number:
2-26- 6
Date Surveyed:
August 23 1982
Category:
Building
Construction Date:
circa 1895
Construction Method:
wood frame
Foundation Materials:
Brick
Roof Materials:
composition shingle
Signficant Architectural Features:
Large, two-story weatherboarded house. Hip roof. House has at least four large yellow brick chimneys with corbeled caps. Most of the windows are double-hung sash, 2/2; many have louvered shutters. Front (SW elevation): Across the facade and wrapping around the south and west corners is a monumental portico, which has an entablature (with modillions, dentil course, and frieze with festoons), fluted Ionic columns, and paneled ceiling. On the front slope of the roof is a large dormer that contains a partially boarded up Palladian window. The main section of the front is 3 bays, ABA; at either end of both stories is one 2/2 window with shutters. In the center is an elaborately detailed entrance - this entrance has double paneled doors and stained glass transom that are recessed; rectangular stained glass windows on either side of the doorway are framed by pilasters and carved panels; over the doorway, on the second floor, is a single 2/2 window framed by pilasters and other ornamental woodwork. The south end of the SW elevation is characterized by one second story window and, on the first floor, a doorway with large 2-light transom. NW elevation: at the north end is a two-story polygonal projection. SE elevation: two-story gabled polygonal projection. Rear: two-story ell attached at the east end of the rear. OUTBUILDINGS:
Historical Information:
HlSIORY/SIGNIFICANCE: Built by waiter Jackson ca. 1895, this house is reputed to have been modeled after Barrington Hall of Roswell, Georgia, and was constructed on part of the entensive estate of Robert Butler. In 1936, Dr. and Mrs. Henry G. Mealing bought the property from Walter Jackson's daughter-in-law. Although some changes have been made over the years, the architectural integrity of the home has been maintained. Mrs. Lillie Mealing was famous for the orchids she grew in her Look-Away Gardens greenhouses, which she procured from such places as Australia, England, South America, the Phillipines, India, and Thailand.
Source of Historical Information:
Sanborn maps of North Augusta: 1918 (104), 1923 (6A); History of North Augusta, p. 80, 134.
Survey:
North Augusta Survey, 1982
Archives Location:
Box 11, Series 108042, Survey of historic resources (county by county data on surface properties), circa 1971-2014
