South Carolina Department of Archives and History
National Register Properties in South Carolina

Calhoun County Library, Calhoun County (Railroad Ave., St. Matthews)
S1081770900401 S1081770900402 S1081770900403 S1081770900404
Facade Right Elevation Left Elevation Interior
Main Entrance

As one of St. Matthews’ oldest buildings, the Calhoun County Library is significant for its pleasing Greek Revival architectural proportions and its creative use as a public library and museum. The one-story, medium-gabled white clapboard structure was originally built in 1877 as a residence and has been adapted for use since 1949 as a county library. The front façade features a three-bay, square-columned entrance porch, and extending from the left and right wings are two smaller porches of similar design that enhance the building’s symmetry. An L-shaped porch with unadorned square columns extends across the left elevation, a portion of which has been enclosed to meet additional space requirements of the library. It is an excellent example of the adaptive use of a residential structure in an increasingly commercial district. The main entrance is a four-panel double-door with sidelights and fanlight that fill the library’s reading room with abundant natural light. The building sits on a spacious lot near the center of St. Matthews in the original residential district. Listed in the National Register May 29, 1975.

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