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

Dr. William Claudius Irby House, Laurens County (132 Irby Ave., Laurens)
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Facade Left Oblique Rear Elevation Proch Detail 2nd Story
Porch Bay
Detail
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Interior
Foyer
Interior
Ceiling Medallion
Interior
Mantel
Interior
Mantel

Built ca. 1890, the Dr. William Claudius Irby House is significant as an excellent example of a residence featuring the influence of the Eastlake style of architecture. The home is a two-story, frame residence sheathed in weatherboarding with a cross-gable roof. Distinctive features on the exterior include the two-tiered porch on the façade, single-story porches on the side elevations, and pedimented window and door surrounds. The elaborate ornamentation includes turned posts and balustrades, turned frieze with perforated panels, perforated bargeboards, perforated brackets with pendants, and sawn appliques over the windows. The main entrance has a single door, sidelights, and transom. A two-story addition has been made to the rear of the house. Several fireplaces on the interior have ornate, Eastlake style mantels with beveled mirrors and glazed-tile surrounds and hearths. Dr. Irby (1848-1916) was a physician who practiced in Clinton, South Carolina, for a number of years before moving to Laurens; in his later years he devoted much time to his extensive farming interests. To the rear of the house is a fieldstone outbuilding. The house is located on a large lot in a quiet, residential neighborhood in the city of Laurens. It has had few alterations and retains integrity from the time of its construction. Listed in the National Register November 19, 1986.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property. In addition, the Historic Resources of the City of Laurens, ca. 1800-ca. 1940 includes historical background information for this and other related National Register properties.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

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