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Built in 1848
The Wilhite House, in the colonial tradition, is on the corner of McDuffie & River Streets in Anderson, South Carolina. Built by Dr. Philip A. Wilhite and his wife, Cora about 1848, the house was, and is, a handsome antebellum residence currently occupied by Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Monroe; its fifth owner and only the 3rd owner to occupy the magnificent mansion in over 150 years. Boasting 14 large, beautiful rooms and just over 6000 square feet, The Wilhite House has had no known structural changes since the Wilhite family owned the property. Originally it was built as a Georgian structure which was perfectly symmetrical and all additions were completed by the original family.
Dr. Wilhite was a native of Georgia but graduated from the medical college in Charleston in 1852 and the next year located in Anderson. Several years earlier he had married Miss Cora Hillis. They lived for a few years in the old Towers House on Whitner Street before building their beautiful mansion on McDuffie Street.
Dr. Wilhite became a popular physician in Anderson and also owned a drug store with a succession of partners and then his sons, Frank T. and J.O Wilhite. Dr. Philip Wilhite was a member of the U.S. Medical Association and at one meeting of that body he was acknowledged to be the discoverer of the anesthesia ether and it was determined that his services ought to be recognized by the government. There is a long & colorful story behind this discovery of how ether could successfuly be used as anesthesia which was graciously revealed to us by Philip's grandson, Judge Earle Rice currently of Anderson.
The original family occupied the splendid mansion for about eighty years. Miss Mary Wilhite, or Mae as her family referred to her, was the last Wilhite to occupy the home. Often asked about
whether the mansion is "haunted" we usually will begin by telling a few of the fascinating stories of the various sights and sounds that have been experienced by virtually all of our staff, family and firends who have spent any length of time at the mansion.
In 1939, John Donald Brown purchased the house where he and his wife, Frances Harper of Greenwood, lived until the late 1980s. The Browns are descendants of George and Rachel Felton Brown who migrated to the Pendleton District from North Carolina in 1805, influenced by their friend, Arthur Gentry. They purchased a 408 acre tract of land for $1.75 per acre from an original land grant made to Peter Keys by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney when he was governor of the state eight years earlier. John Donald Brown's forefathers were farmers until shortly before the Dexter Grocery Company was established in 1903. The Chamber of Commerce brochure of 1909 stated that the company was owned and operated by Dexter Brown, a wholesale dealer in groceries and supplies of all kinds.
The third owner Mr. Scott Seaborne, purchased the house from the Brown family and owned it for only a short time before subdividing the other structures, removing the remaining valuables and selling all at a profit, including the mansion to Keith Ballington. Mr. Ballington had dreams of running The Wilhite House as a banquet hall and began doing significant structural restoration to the manor in an attempt to meet stringent City Building codes. Unfortunately, he owned the house for only a short time before he was forced to sell the house at auction.
Before purchasing the house in December of 2004, Jim & Lori Monroe had spent nine years exploring the west coast of North America and Mexico aboard their 65 foot sailboat "Chrokeva". Deciding it was time for a change they embarked on what would be a 10,000 mile journey in their motor home looking for a growing historic district in which to relocate.
After purchasing The Wilhite House they began working around the clock to bring back the original beauty and elegance to the 6000+ square foot mansion. Their first intentions were to occupy the house as a private residence, then, realizing just how big it was for only the two of them, considered leasing the lower floor as office space. While in the escrow period of the purchase, Lori suggested to Jim that they share the house with the community and open as a banquet hall. Jim decided that the idea was interesting enough to pursue. One of the other structures which had been subdivided, was rumored to have been the original kitchen and slave quarters to the mansion, and was purchased back and joined together to the original estate. With the two properties joined, there was enough room for the beautiful garden pavilion to be built. Formal gardens followed along with many interior improvements inside the mansion.
Today weddings, receptions, banquets, teas, and events of every kind, both private and business take place under the same roof where people, for over 160 years, have held parties. Downstairs, in the "Gentleman's Room" where the original floors are still in tact, hang portraits of Dr. Philip and his wife Cora Wilhite. This room is where Dr. Philip Wilhite reportedly performed surgery on both Northern & Southern soldiers during the Civil War.
Each year we purpose to do interior renovation as well as exterior improvements. In 2009 we added the magnificent crystal tree, chandeliers & curtains in the main salon, along with a new chandelier and rug in the sitting room. New for our 2010, we upgraded the valances in the front two parlors, added antique furnishings & wall decor along with fireplace and lighting upgrades. In the main salon, there have been major decor changes in the color and design of the walls, the fireplace surround and the crown moldings. Exterior and garden design changes include crystals hanging in the pavilion, enclosing the ceremony arbor, new lighting and fountains, a bistro patio, and more.
Very soon a book will be available with some history of the mansion along with great photos of the restoration that we have been honored to do on this magnificent estate...the "before's & after's" that we keep having requests for!
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“It is our desire to share every aspect of this magnificent historical home with the community and to make lasting improvements in the historical downtown district.”
-J.W.& Lori
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