Joye Cottage
National Register Listing
Street Address:
463 Whiskey Rd. and 129 1st Ave., Aiken, SC (Aiken County)
Alternate Name:
Whitney House; Whitney Stable; Whitney Squash Court
NRHP Nomination Form
Record Number:
S10817702012
Description and Narrative:
(Whitney House) Joye Cottage, the greater portion of which dates from 1897, is a rambling weatherboard Georgian Revival residence, consisting of a central block with four radiating wings. Joye Cottage is one of the oldest and largest of Aiken’s winter retreats for the wealthy. It is also important as a relatively intact example of the architecture expressive of the lavish scale of living practiced in Aiken’s Winter Colony. The cottage building represents the extensive remodeling of an existing building done ca. 1897 by New York architect George A. Freeman for William C. Whitney. Significant aspects include the arrangement of the wings to create a formal courtyard, the use of the Roman Temple form in the western wings, and the interior woodwork, including the wainscoting, the pilasters and columns, the staircase, and the mantels, all executed in the Georgian Revival style. William Whitney, who is considered the real founder of the Whitney dynasty, first joined the ranks of the winter colonists at the urging of Aiken pioneers Thomas and Lulie Hitchcock. Finding the sporting life in Aiken much to his liking, he became a regular winter resident. In 1897, he purchased Mrs. Joye’s boarding house from Miss Celestine Eustis and established himself as a permanent and influential member of the Aiken resort community. The nominated property includes the main house, the one and one-half story Whitney Stable and the two-story Whitney Squash Court. The Squash Court is significant as an early example of the Prairie style in South Carolina. Other outbuildings on the property include a greenhouse, a laundry house and two small one-story frame cottages. Listed in the National Register September 29, 1980.
Period of Significance:
1897;19th century;20th century
Level of Significance:
National
Area of Significance:
Politics/Government;Architecture;Transportation
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
September 29 1980
