A Short History Of Gravel Hill

Note: This is copied from

ALLENDALE ON THE SAVANNAH,

By

Alexania Easterling Lawton & Minnie Reeves Wilson

Copyright 1970

Towering in majestic splendor atop a wooded hill, five miles west of Allendale in partial view of U. S. Highway 301's stream of traffic, is Gravel Hill, magnificent relic of the ante-bellum south. For an edifice of that era, this splendid fifteen room house shows few scars of the ages through which it has passed. With practically no changes in its original structure, the architecture may be considered authentic of the period.

Built in the year 1856 by the late Benjamin Willingham, the house was planned with foresight. Eventually, it housed the eighteen children of Mr. Willingham and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Baynard Willingham, all of whom grew to maturity and lived to old age. Eighteen "pegs" on a side hall wall attest that nine boy's caps and nine girl's bonnets often hung there.

Gravel Hill, acquired in 1888 by the late Charles Edward Bryan family, has remained in that family since, successive owners being the late William and George Bryan. It is currently owned by Mrs. W. Z. Bryan and George E. Bryan.

Constructed of the choicest timbers on the place, with massive foundations of brick made from Gravel Hill's clay pits, there is little deterioration in the materials.

The rectangular structure, with huge chimneys extending high above the roof, is designed along lines traditional of the era. Wide lower and upper halls extend the length of the building, with huge rooms on either side. The bedroom closets are almost the size of some modern day bedrooms.

The down stairs hall has a side hall extending from it to the side piazza thus giving a second entrance in addition to the more formal front one.

The large family room, adjoining the dining room, with division wall composed of folding doors, may be opened and used as a banquet hall.

When used on such occasions, particularly in winter, huge fire places ablaze with oak logs in opposite ends of each room, form a unique and cheery setting. A graceful stairway, broken by a landing, and completed with hand-wrought railings, terminates in the back hall behind folding doors, which are high lighted with transoms and side lights identical to those in both front and back door entrances.

From this picturesque stairway, the tossing of the bridal bouquet has been reenacted on numerous occasions, as Gravel Hill has afforded the setting for such occasions throughout the years.

The old parlor, or drawing room, of Gravel Hill is elaborate in ornate frescoing in plaster of Paris design in overhead medallion and in an insert between moldings around the room, of bunches of grapes, vines and tendrils.

The front hall has a similar overhead medallion with molding of sturdier type. Mantels, baseboards, moldings throughout the house are handsome and sturdy. Fireplaces are large and afford ample heat when fires are built of oak logs.

The master bedroom is as large as many small entire homes. The house is plastered, both overhead and side walls throughout and the plastering has held up remarkably well, notwithstanding earthquakes and storms. The few cracks now showing are believed to have been caused by planes overhead breaking the sound barrier.

The original basement has been removed, with the exception of one part used for storage. The huge attic beneath the wide expanse of roof could well afford another floor but has never been completed for such. Massive brown stone steps, flanked with curving stone curbs, impress one with the stability and dignity of the fine old place.

Enormous square columns support the portico at the front entrance, while small replicas extend the length of the piazza along one whole side of the house. An old joggling board on this piazza has afforded much pleasure throughout the years..

The vista afforded from the front entrance through the long hall is intriguingly interesting, with the curb of the old well centering the back porch and sun room in the rear. The traditional old oaken bucket and chain stand ready for emergency use in the event the electric pump concealed within the curb does not function.

Gravel Hill's well, as old as the mansion, has never failed in its supply of pure sweet water, for man, beast, garden and other demands.

The great grove surrounding the old place has suffered the effects of storms, some few monarchs surviving to attest to types of former years. Fig bushes, almost as tall as the eaves of the house have been cut back to allow gathering of the luscious fruit. Other orchard trees have not survived the years.

The two-story smoke house bespeaks of the good old days of home-cured hams, sausage, and other meat products as well as other supplies. The icebox with thick walls doubled and insulated with sawdust, testifies to necessity being the mother of invention. It served adequately in its day.

Gravel Hill has been a "Mecca" for the many since it was built more than a century ago. Something contagious, holding and enduring, permeates the atmosphere, causing a reluctance in leaving and impelling desire to return.

Annual family reunions bring the Bryan clan together, the house always proving a revelation to younger generation. To the tourist, catching a glimpse of the formidable structure from U. S. Highway 301, stopping is a must as a tour of this ante-bellum home shows life of the past. Mrs. W. Z. Bryan, owner and hostess of Gravel Hill, dispenses hospitality, traditional of the South.

Gravel Hill's interior is attractive in furnishings of the antebellum and postwar periods. Also many items, now obsolete are cherished possessions there, furthering its atmosphere, and providing rare conversational objects.

From records of the War Between the States period, magnificent Gravel Hill was spared the torch of Sherman's men on their march to the sea simply because it was used as the General's headquarters. Nearby Rose Lawn, another handsome place typical of the era, owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Don Sharp, was spared, also, because it was headquarters for Gen. Kilpatrick.

For some reason, "Erwinton," ancestral home of the Erwin family, not far distant, was not burned. The place is now owned and cherished by Mr. Walter Montgomery and several associates of Spartanburg. It seems the irony of fate that the three places mentioned were the only ones which were spared out of a community, resplendent in wealth, affluence, and culture, as was indicated by standards of living maintained there by the numerous families within the area of Buddenville, Old Allendale.