Picture this a grand three-story brick house. It stands proudly on Hasell Street in Charleston. This is the Jones-Howell House. Its story is etched not in stone but in a plaque before us. It speaks of Eliza Jones a woman of means and vision. In 1841 she commissioned the construction of this magnificent home.
The Jones-Howell House was no ordinary dwelling. Robert Fletcher and T.V. Sessions master carpenters built it. Their meticulous work is evident in the original specifications. The contract detailed even the smallest aspects. Imagine ten-foot-wide piazzas with fluted columns. These columns were adorned with fancy balusters. Each one three inches thick and topped with neat cornices. A testament to the craftsmanship of the era.
Eliza Jones didn’t live here forever. Tradition holds that she passed the house to her daughter. Her daughter married into the Howell family. The Howells cherished this house for a century. They made it their home. They became part of its history. The large side yard even boasted a Victorian-style parterre. A beautiful garden. It added charm to the already stately home.
This plaque a simple marker isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about family. It’s about legacy. It speaks of the enduring connection between a family and a house. It speaks of a bygone era. The era of grand homes elegant piazzas and meticulous craftsmanship. A time when details mattered. The house remains a silent testament to the lives lived within its walls. A story waiting to be discovered. A story written in the very fabric of its being.
The Jones-Howell House stands as a symbol of Charleston’s rich architectural heritage. It’s a reminder of a time when homes were built to last. Homes built with care and attention to detail. Take a moment to appreciate this piece of Charleston history. This plaque represents a small glimpse into a grand past. The past lives on in this remarkable place. The Jones-Howell House.