DeBruhl-Marshall House, 1401 Laurel Street, Columbia

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,40-COLUM,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Residence grief ^atement "A fine example of the Classic Style in Southern of Significance; domestic architecture. . ." ./Quoted from the historical marker placed in front of the house by the Sesqui-Centennial Commission in PART

Historical Information

This house was erected in and is locally attributed to Robert Mills. While it has a good many of Mill's characteristics, it does not in my opinion have quite the scale in details that would identify it as such. So far as the known records indicate, there is no basis to attribute the work to Mills. The house was built for the DeBruhl family, a family long promi- nent in South Carolina political life, and the date of erection sug- gests it might have been built for Jesse DeBruhl, Jesse was very active in the public life of the city, and during the Harrison vs. Van Buren presidential campaign was the leader of The Democrats in Richland County.

The DeBruhl family intermarried with another prominent local family named Marshall, and the house has for years been known as the DeBruhl-Marshall house. In the early pert of this century the property was purchased by James H. Sams, for years a prominent Columbia architect. Sams died about The house was operated as a rooming house until and had gotten in a very poor state of repair. In the property was purchased by George H. Rhodes and restored as a residence. Rhodes made so many interior changes that little remains of the original plan except the center hall and major rooms. The stair, which was originally in a room at the rear of the house, is now in the center hall.

The historical marker in front of the house, placed there in by the Sesqui-Centennial Commission, reads as follows: DeBRUHL-MARSHALL HOUSE / HABS No, (Page $ H "DeBruhl-Marshall House A fine example of the Classic Style in Southern domestic architecture. Built in probably after a design by Robert Mills. For almost 100 years the home of the DeBruhl and Marshall families." Prepared by Walter F. Petty AIA Preservation Officer December PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural character; Handsome, Classic-Revival mansion. 2. Condition of fabric: Good. B. Technical Description of Exterior: 1. Over-all dimensions: (five-bay front) x two-and-a-half stories on an elevated basement. 2. Foundations: Coursed, stuccoed brick. 3.

Wall construction: Red brick;, laid in Flemish bond; stone belt course between first and second stories; 17" thick. 4. Porches: Wide front portico, raised on masonry arcade, with four round Tuscan columns of stuccoed brick; simple pediment; pilasters at wall. Heavy granite steps to portico at center. Square, stone paving on floor; deli- cate wrought-iron railing. 5. Chimneys: Two simple brick chimneys. 6. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Folding, six-panel front door, side lights and recessed panels; large, well-detailed fan light over. b. Windows and shutters: Side and front windows^ first and second floors Flat keystone arches; double-hung, six-over-six light wood sash; louvered shutters on long strap hinges with HS"-shaped shutter dogs.

Basement windows Smaller windows, eight-over-eight light; solid shutters on long strap hinges y/ith # "S"-shaped shutter dogs. DeBRUHI^MABSHALL HOUSE MBS No. (Page 0) 7. Roof: s. Shape, covering; Gable roof with pediment at front, wood shingles. to. Cornice: Heavy wood cornice. C. Technical Description of Interiors: Little remains of the original plan except the center hall and major rooms. The stair, originally in a room at the rear of the house,, is now in the center hall. The floors throughout are of wide old pine "boards. The present owner Rhodes) has furnished the house in antique furniture (mostly heirlooms) and in excellent taste. The house is kept in a very good state of repair, and quite a hit of the original hardware remains. D. Site: 1.

Orientation and general setting: The house faces south- east on a corner city lot. 2. Enclosures: Simple, Victorian iron fence in front of house; serpentine brick wall at rear. 3. Outbuildings: None. 4. Walks: Cement walk to front steps; brick walks at rear. 5. Landscaping, gardens: Fine garden with shrubs, flowers, and trees; several large magnolias. Prepared by Walter F. Petty AIA Preservation Officer December AM) James C. Massey, Architect National Park Service July #