Historic District

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History & Architecture

Summerville traces its origins to 1785, when Lowcountry planters built summer retreats on a high, sandy pine ridge to escape coastal heat, malaria, and yellow fever. The settlement, originally called Pineland Village, grew into a "new town" laid out in 1832 by the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company and was incorporated as the village of Summerville on December 17, 1847 — the same year the town passed one of the nation's earliest tree-protection ordinances. The town rose to international prominence in 1899 when the International Congress of Physicians named Summerville one of the world's two best locations for treating lung and throat ailments, citing the pine-scented air. The Chamber of Commerce adopted the slogan "Flower Town in the Pines" in 1925, a nickname the town still uses today. Notable contributing buildings within the district include the Old Town Hall (1860), Tupper's Drug Store (1902), White Gables, the Squirrel Inn, the Pettigru-Lebby House Gazebo, Summerville Presbyterian Church, and the Samuel Lord / Elizabeth Arden House, which the cosmetics executive owned as a Lowcountry residence from 1938 to 1954.

Because the district is on the National Register, exterior modifications to homes within its boundaries are reviewed by Summerville's Historic District Board of Architectural Review (BAR). Buyers planning renovations should review the town's Historic District Design Guidelines before purchasing, as the BAR oversees changes that affect a building's exterior character.

 

Lifestyle & Location

The Historic District is the cultural center of Summerville. Azalea Park — a 16-acre green space at the southern edge of the district, planted with 33,000 azaleas in the 1930s, including the locally famous "Pride of Summerville" variety — hosts the annual Flowertown Festival, a three-day spring arts-and-crafts event run by the Summerville Family YMCA since the early 1970s and recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast. Summerville also markets itself as the "Birthplace of Sweet Tea," a nod to the Pinehurst Tea Plantation founded by Dr. Charles Upham Shepard in 1888 — the first successful commercial tea farm in the United States — and hosts a separate Sweet Tea Festival celebrating that history. Other district anchors include the Summerville Dorchester Museum, the Summerville Farmers' Market behind Town Hall facing Hutchinson Square, and the Sculpture in the South installations throughout downtown. Downtown Charleston is roughly 25 miles away, an approximately 40-minute drive via I-26 depending on traffic. Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island are both reachable in under an hour.

 

Schools

The Historic District is part of Dorchester School District Two, one of the most sought-after school districts in the Charleston metro area. Homes in the district are currently zoned for Summerville Elementary School, Alston Middle School, and Summerville High School. Families should verify current zoning directly with the school district before purchasing, as boundaries can change.

 

Summerville Historic District FAQs

Is the Summerville Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places?

Yes. The Summerville Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 19, 1976. The district contains approximately 700 contributing structures, of which roughly 70% predate World War I, and is one of the most significant historic neighborhoods in the Charleston region.

What types of homes are in the Summerville Historic District?

The district contains a wide range of home styles, including antebellum cottages from the late 1700s and early 1800s, Victorian and Queen Anne homes, Greek Revival-influenced residences, raised cottages, bungalows, and turn-of-the-century homes from the 1880s through the 1920s. A smaller number of brick ranchers from the 1970s and 1980s and newer infill homes sit alongside the historic stock. Lot sizes range from compact downtown parcels to multi-acre estates with mature live oaks.

Are there restrictions on renovating a home in the Summerville Historic District?

Yes. Because the district is on the National Register and protected under town ordinance, exterior modifications are reviewed by Summerville's Historic District Board of Architectural Review (BAR). The BAR oversees changes affecting a building's exterior character to ensure they align with the district's historical guidelines. Buyers planning renovations should review the Town of Summerville's Historic District Design Guidelines and contact the BAR before making any exterior changes.

What schools serve the Summerville Historic District?

The Historic District is part of Dorchester School District Two and is currently zoned for Summerville Elementary School, Alston Middle School, and Summerville High School. Families are encouraged to confirm current zoning directly with DD2, as boundary lines are periodically updated.

Map of Historic District

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