The Calhoun Mansion was called by the Charleston News and Courier, at the time it was built, the "handsomest and most complete private residence in the south." This outstanding home was built in 1876 by George W. Williams for $200,000 and the lot itself was purchased for $40,000 (Confederate Currency). His architect was William P. Russel.
The Calhoun Mansion, a baronial Italianate manor house built in 1876, is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest post-Civil War houses on the Eastern Seaboard. Recently featured on the Arts & Entertainment Channel's AMERICA'S CASTLES, the remarkable, 24,000 square foot structure has 14 foot ceilings, ornate plaster and wood moldings, elaborate chandeliers, a stairwell that reaches to a 75 foot domed ceiling, and a music room with a 45 foot covered glass skylight. The Mansion also includes truly astonishing decorative painting and lighting designed and installed by Louis Comfort Tiffany at the turn of the twentieth century. The Italianate style home consists of 35 rooms and 23 period fireplaces. The grand entrance hall is an astounding 14 feet high by 14 feet wide and is 65 feet in length.
The bottom line is, the Calhoun Mansion is one of the most beautiful in the city, not only can you tour the mansion, but it is still occupied on the third floor by the family who uses it as an office still today.
