I hope that the currrent owners don’t mind that I have decided to move in with them. Its just me, the kids, Mr. Flossip, the barking Flossips… surely they won’t care?

The Claussen House is the oldest house in Florence.

(Howard-Harllee-Claussen House) Constructed ca. 1830, the Claussen House is an excellent local example of early nineteenth century Greek Revival architecture and late nineteenth century Italianate style alterations and additions. Built in the raised cottage form, the house is likely one of the most distinguished of its type throughout the upland coastal plain of South Carolina. The house was built for Charles Brown Howard, a planter and merchant. After he died in 1834, his wife married Dr. Robert Harllee, a prominent local physician who was actively involved in state government as a state representative and state senator. In 1870, he sold 1,150 acres, including the house, to Frederick W. Claussen of Charleston. In 1873 Claussen sold 210 acres, including the house, to his nephew William Frederick Claussen, who remodeled the house, expanded his holdings, and planted tobacco and cotton as cash crops on the property. William Claussen also introduced and experimented with several varieties of grapes and pecans on the property. The house remained in the Claussen family until 1985. The house also has a significant collection of domestic and agricultural outbuildings, including a smokehouse, gardener’s cottage, hothouse/greenhouse, chicken coop/outhouse, and carriage shed. Listed in the National Register April 11, 2001. The Claussen House is the oldest home in Florence.

The current owners have decided to rent the house for weddings and other functions. Can I rent it and have a party and pretend like I own it for a night? Email jen534@aol.com if you are interested. They have a large front porch and will allow the use of the two front rooms. They will also have a room for the bride to dress in and allow use of the kitchen.

(Slightly related– did anyone else have that Florence coloring book years ago that had a picture of the Bonnie Shade? I think the Bonnie Shade is the second oldest house in Florence.)

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

From Flossip’s backyard!

First rose:

Now, we are off to the Spring Plant and Flower Festival at the Farmer’s Market!

Guess what I have heard? Mr. Smith is returning to the Farmer’s Market! He is one of my favorite vendors, so I can’t wait to see him out there again.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.

Considering I spent almost all day at the Pecan Festival yesterday, I was about an inch short of exhaustion this morning. We have a little routine here at the Flossip house before 11:00 church and it almost always involves watching South Carolina Outdoors with Jay Gregg. I can’t believe I have not mentioned this show before, but it has all the elements of a Flossip Favorite.
First, the host is Jay Gregg. He was born and raised in Florence County. Second, he features local people and local things to do. His emphasis is on all of South Carolina, but the majority of places he features could easily be done in a day. Third, the show is REALLY well done. The girls in my family used to feel as if we were suffering through fishing show after fishing show. (“Oh wow, look… another fish.”) **Yawn**. We are actually all interested in SC Outdoors and it has been a great compromise. I even have a few things that we are going to try as a family that I learned about on the show.

If you can’t watch at any of the appointed times, you can also watch online.

Flossip Featuring reviews, to-do's, and the not quite news in Florence, SC.