This beautiful Antebellum Colonial home, built of brick in the Carolina plantation-house style in 1852, was acquired by the Meader family in 1857 and owned by the family until 1999. Meader family lore has it that this magnificent edifice escaped the fiery fate meted out by Shermans forces to so many of the grand old plantation homes due to its secluded location in the hardwoods of what has become the Sumter National Forest. Situated on a hillside just outside Union, South Carolina (located between Spartanburg/Greenville, South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina), this magnificent piece of history now includes four zone heat and air and updated electric service. The home was completely renovated and expanded in 1959 (the renovation being designed by the Hemphill architectural firm of Columbia, South Carolina) by the grandson of A. D. Meader, Sr. All of the 1959 work was done in a fashion true to the Colonial style, using original materials where possible and replicas of existing moldings and mantel-pieces where needed. Standing on the front porch one can almost see grey-clad soldiers appearing once-again over the rolling hills, seeking food and shelter on the long way home, even as they did in 1865.

Entering the center hallway with its winding staircase reveals two plaster archways, one leading to the right to the formal dining room and the other to the left into the formal living room complete with fireplace, and also gives access to the main east/west hallway. A comfortable den, accessible from the living room or the main hallway, offers built-in bookcases, a fireplace and double French doors leading out to the screened porch overlooking a side fenced pasture. There are four bedrooms (two up, two down), each with its own full bath plus a half bathroom on the first floor. The master suite is on the first floor and boasts a huge fully tiled shower, Jacuzzi tub and his and hers closets. The many closets (some walk-in) provide storage galore. The oversized gourmet kitchen with eat-in alcove has a center island, an informal sitting area and the nearby powder room as well. A comfortably sized roofed deck off the kitchen is perfect for those special outdoor-grilling evenings, and provides the opportunity to observe the abundant wildlife in the main pastures and bands of hardwood to the rear and side. Upstairs are two more bedrooms, a sitting area, many closets, a grand porch overlooking the front lawn and circular driveway as well as pull down access to the large attic storage space.

The heated and cooled lower level boasts a full kitchen, another full bath, a living/game room, large office or fifth bedroom (with fireplace), a garage and a perfect room for the wine lovers prize possessions. The outbuildings consist of a barn, which boasts four stalls and a tack room as well as power and water, separate garage and a large building for equipment. Fenced pastures grace three sides of the house while mature timber frames the acreage. The pond and a nearby creek provide fresh water for all the animals whether domestic or wild. At the rear of the property the old barn has been refurbished to provide storage for 150 round hay bales as well as an additional hint of antiquity. This piece of history is buffered by over 800 acres of the original family estate. Additional acreage may be available.