Richardson-Godbold House
National Register Listing
Street Address:
8447 South Highway 41, Marion, SC Vicinity (Marion County)
Alternate Name:
Pleasant Grove; Oak Grove Plantation; Godbold Post Office
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817734015
Description and Narrative:
The Richardson-Godbold House was constructed in 1850 by William Fladger Richardson and was originally known as Oak Grove and Pleasant Grove Plantation. The house was designed by Philander Curtis, a builder/designer from Connecticut. Although the overall appearance is simple, the house is well-designed, and exhibits the symmetry, precise proportions, and use of Greek motifs that characterize Greek Revival residences. The Richardson-Godbold House is listed under Criterion A in the areas of Communications and Politics/Government for its use as a rural U.S. Post Office between 1880 and 1917. The period between the end of the Civil War and the turn-of-the-century saw a massive increase in the number of post offices and in the amount of mail sent across America. The Godbold Post Office was established at the house in 1880, in the midst of the late 19th century post office boom, and served the local area until it was discontinued in 1917, probably as a result of the impact of Rural Free Delivery introduced in the early 1900s. The property is also significant under Criterion A in the area of agriculture as the center of what was once a large plantation. Additionally, the Richardson-Godbold House is significant under Criterion C in the area of Architecture, as a good and rare example of a vernacular Greek Revival plantation house in Marion County. The 1850 residence exhibits many features common to the Greek Revival style, including a symmetrical façade, gabled roof with pedimented gable-ends, corner pilasters, transom and sidelights in the front door surround, and a full-width front porch supported by simplified Doric columns. Listed in the National Register June 24, 2018.
Period of Significance:
1850 – 1917
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Architecture;Communications;Politics/Government;Agriculture
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
June 25 2018
