Beaufort, South Carolina

The Jewel of the Lowcountry.

Cuthbert House on Bay Street overlooking the Beaufort River

Whether you are born and raised here, or come later in life as a stranger, the Lowcountry will capture your heart and imagination with a hold that can never be broken.

A captivating story about the Cuthbert House spans over two centuries, from 1790- to the present. Today it stands with pride as a testament to its rich heritage along the banks of the Beaufort River. A symbol of true Southern elegance.

Several years ago I was writing and publishing our Shrimp, Collards, and Grits magazine and we came in and created a story on the porches of this magnificent place. It is a home of unparalleled beauty and significance. Below is a photo from that memorable afternoon.

Photo by Andrew Branning from Shrimp, Collards and Grits magazine: porch of the Cuthbert House on Beaufort’s Bay Street

Originally constructed for the Cuthbert family in 1790, over time this Antebellum-style home has been lovingly preserved and restored into the grand, historic inn it is today.

As with almost all the homes in downtown Beaufort, The Cuthbert House was abandoned by the owners in 1861, fearing the imminent arrival of Union Troops. While the Civil War was raging throughout the South, Beaufort was spared because General Sherman’s troops occupied the town. Rather than destroy Beaufort, they turned churches and homes into offices, morgues, and hospitals.

A piece of history remains today in the old “East Parlor” of the house. Several young soldiers carved their names in the marble mantle of one of the fireplaces, and are still visible today.

General Rufus Saxton resided at the Cuthbert House during the Civil War, receiving a visit from General Sherman in 1865. At the end of the war, Saxton purchased the home for $1000. at auction - sold for nonpayment of Union War taxes.

In 1972, it was thankfully spared from demolition and added to the National Register of Historic Places, solidifying its place as a cherished landmark in one of the South’s most storied cities.

Beaufort is a place abounding in wildlife and natural beauty, with rivers, streams, marshes, and islands, where daily life revolves around the ebb and flow of the tides. It’s a road less traveled into one of our nation’s last unspoiled places, rich in folklore, history, and spectacular beauty.