Greenville’s Historic Review Board is set to meet on November 19 to consider a demolition request for the historic house at 107 Broadus Avenue. The property, once home to the Greenville County Historical Society, is a classic example of the Ward‑style homes that shaped the city’s early‑20th‑century neighborhoods.
Why historic homes matter to Greenville families
Local historian Russell Stall, executive director of the Greenville County Historical Society, points to four reasons the city should protect its older homes. First, past demolition of Main Street’s historic structures and the Southern Railway station left a lasting void that residents only realized after the buildings were gone. Second, each house serves as a tangible record of how merchants and mill families lived between the wars, preserving evidence of their aspirations in brick, plaster and hand‑set woodwork.
Third, the craftsmanship of these homes—heart pine, plaster, and hand‑set brick—cannot be replicated today because the original materials are no longer available. A new construction on the same lot may be well‑built, but it will never replace the historic character of the original. Fourth, historic homes help keep neighborhoods cohesive; streets like East Park retain their charm because the houses share scale, setbacks, and materials. Removing one structure weakens the visual and cultural fabric of the entire block.
Balancing owners’ rights with community heritage
When an old house is torn down, the owner enjoys any financial gain, while neighbors, the city, and future generations bear the loss. Outside of a designated local historic district, the city lacks authority to block demolition. Even a listing on the National Register offers honor but no protection.
Stall acknowledges that owners have legitimate property rights and that not every aging house can or should be saved. The solution, he argues, is to identify the most significant structures and provide owners with alternatives to demolition—such as preservation easements, state and federal tax credits, or connecting them with buyers who value historic properties.
How residents can help
Anyone who lives in a Ward‑style home or suspects their house may have historic value is encouraged to contact the Greenville County Historical Society. The organization is actively seeking donors and partners to rehabilitate the 107 Broadus Ave. house if the board votes against demolition.
Preserving Greenville’s architectural heritage not only honors the city’s past but also strengthens the sense of community for families and future generations.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
