Welcome to Hobcaw House, a place steeped in history and rich with stories of influential figures. Located on the 16,000-acre expanse of Hobcaw Barony in Georgetown, South Carolina, this remarkable site has witnessed centuries of historical change and development.
The origins of Hobcaw Barony date back to 1718, when John, Lord Carteret, was granted a sizable tract of land on Waccamaw Neck. In the years that followed, this land was transformed into thriving rice plantations that fueled Georgetown County’s economy through the American Revolution and Civil War.
Fast forward to the early 20th century, and we find Bernard M. Baruch, an investor and presidential advisor, acquiring the land for a winter hunting retreat. By 1930, the Hobcaw House we see today was constructed, replacing the previous Donaldson House. Designed by the architects Lafaye and Lafaye, this red brick structure became a hub for Baruch’s gatherings.
Hobcaw House has hosted an impressive array of notable figures. In 1932, Winston Churchill and his daughter Diana were guests here. During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt took a month-long working vacation at Hobcaw, using it as a retreat to strategize and unwind.
Belle W. Baruch, Bernard’s daughter, began purchasing parts of Hobcaw Barony in 1935, ultimately acquiring it entirely by 1956. Her vision was to preserve the land as a nature and research preserve, which she ensured by establishing the Belle W. Baruch Foundation. Today, Hobcaw Barony is not only a historical treasure but also an educational institute for forestry and marine biology.
As you explore Hobcaw House, imagine the influential conversations and pivotal decisions that took place within these walls. From its origins as a rice plantation to its evolution into a hub of environmental research and historical preservation, Hobcaw Barony remains a key piece of South Carolina’s rich tapestry.
