County approves H-Tax funds to rehab Kelley House
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Darlington County Council convened their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 19 and heard from citizens asking for the county’s help in renovating the historic Jacob Kelley House.
Built in what is now the Kelleytown Community of Hartsville around 1820, the house earned its historic designation during the Civil War when a regiment of General Sherman’s Army under the command of Major General John E. Smith commandeered the house as a temporary headquarters on March 2, 1865. Homeowner Jacob Kelley, then 85, took many of the family’s treasures (and his best horses) and hid in a house on an island in Segars Mill Pond during the occupation.
The house was ransacked by Union soldiers, who took everything from household items to livestock, and ripped apart furnishings searching for hidden loot. Since 1968, the house has been under the purview of the Darlington County Historical Commission, and it regularly draws hundreds of visitors to special Christmas celebrations and via student group tours. In 2016, the house had over 1,000 registered visitors.
JoAnn Kelley Lee, one of the Kelley family’s descendants, spoke to Council from the perspective of the house itself, and asked for assistance.
“I have a treasure trove of history for those who visit us. I have welcomed people for years. However, I am tired, sad, and need much TLC.” said Lee. “With the centennial approaching, I want to open my doors in the southern tradition. I need much repair to stand tall for Darlington County and to convey the grace and charm that I represent.”
Facilities in need of repair include the main house, the cook house, the corn crib, and the fence. Age and weather have damaged the home’s windows, chimneys, and foundation. The total estimate to effect all repairs is $39,992.
Council voted unanimously to appropriate this amount from Hospitality Tax revenues and pay for the requested renovation.
Also on the agenda, Council gave final approval to Ordinance 17-08, which authorizes the county to charge a $25 fee when individuals want electricity reconnected to a structure. The fee will help offset costs incurred when county inspectors check to ensure a structure is safe before signing off on the reconnection of electrical power.
Council held first reading for Ordinance 17-12, which would repeal a requirement for county department heads to reside within Darlington County. The old requirement was never enforced and now, the ordinance says, several department heads reside outside county limits. Repealing this restriction removes the possibility that these employees could be dismissed with notice for not relocating their residence inside the county.
The asphalt paving of Underground Branch Road, using County Transportation Commission funds of $241,783, was approved. Council also okayed the use of $10,000 in CTC funds to resurface Bell-Aire Street.
Council cleared a PARD Grant award for the Lamar Dixie Field Project. The grant amount of $29,419 will require a local funding match of $6,000, which the county will appropriate from Hospitality Tax monies.
Finally, Council voted to assign $170,000 in contingency funds from the 2018 budget to resurface county roads in the Timberchase Subdivision, with the stipulation that the county receives matching funds from sources other than the county’s own General Fund.
