Two Historic North Augusta Landmarks Auctioned Off
Last year, they were booked solid for the Masters. This year, they were being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Lookaway Hall and its neighbor Rosemary Hall have served as landmarks in North Augusta for more than 100 years, but their rich history was not enough to pay the bills. News Channel Six’s Joy Howe has the story.
North Augusta, SC—Two homes have served as landmarks in North Augusta for more than 100 years.
Kathleen Gibson, Former Employee: “I say, ‘look up, do you see the big white house?‘ and from there, they know where they are.“
Kathleen Gibson considers herself lucky to have worked here…last year at this time, it was a different place: these homes were bustling with Masters traffic.
Gibson: “Oh it was fun. They were both fully booked.”
Although the e-mails flooded in requesting for rooms again, Gibson had to send them elsewhere. Rosemary and Lookaway are closed.
Gibson was at the Aiken Courthouse auction Monday morning, anxiously watching—what she feels are her homes—as they went up for bid.
Georgia Bank & Trust bid for and won both: Lookaway sold for a little under $840,000, Lookaway for about $750,000.
Gibson was relieved.
Gibson: “I was scared to death somebody strange was going to buy them that couldn’t take care of them, wouldn’t appreciate what they were.“
Jeanne McDaniel says she knows what they are.
Jeanne McDaniel, Author, North Augusta, James U. Jackson’s Dream: “Look-Away and Rosemary are really the heart of North Augusta.“
She’s written a book about the history of the city, including stories about the origin of the homes, and their history over the years.
The thought of the homes disheveled, she says terrifies her.
McDaniel: “It’s a horrible thought, because this is North Augusta. These homes, all these, even my little cottage, it’s the spirit of North Augusta, it is what we’re all about.“
Gibson says a man in Mississippi has expressed interest in buying them from the bank. She has spoken with him several times and says he would be the perfect occupant to take them back to what they were.
Joy Howe, Reporting: “Would you come back to work?”
Gibson: “Oh I would, in a heartbeat. I love these houses, and I love cooking.“
There was some concern by citizens in the city that those homes would be leveled. Gibson says she does not believe the historical society would allow that to happen.
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