History: The historic antebellum brick home was built in 1851 by Jacob Rabb, who purchased the lot from the neighboring Methodist Episcopal Church. He constructed the present building, a typical brick single house with a plastered brick gable end and slate roof. Our home is the only survivor of its kind of the Fire of 1861 in Annsonborough, which is evident by the smaller more modest wooden dwellings constructed after the Civil War, such as the freedman's cottages at 14 and 17 Pinckney Street, and the small wooden single houses at 18 and 19 Pinckney Street. The property has had extensive renovations over the past 15 years, receiving several awards for historic preservation, and the Carolopolis Award from the Preservation Society of Charleston. The Jacob Rabb House is protected by a Conservation Easement Donated to Historic Charleston Foundation, 2004.
The charming Annsonborough Neighborhood itself was conceived in 1696 as the first 'suburb' of the original walled City of Charles Town. It came to be known as Annsonborough for the colonial naval officer George Anson, the future First Lord of the Admiralty. It was said that he won the rights to the property in a card game with a wealthy local merchant. What great luck! A stroll through the neighborhood will give you examples of amazing historic architecture, grand columns and piazzas, original wrought iron gates, lovely gardens and courtyards, massive live oaks and one of the few original cobblestone streets left in the City.
We are confident you and your family will find our property to be exactly what you are looking for in a rental property for your next visit to Charleston, South Carolina. The experience in our home will send you home with memories for a lifetime. We look forward to meeting you soon.
The first level of the home consists of a formal yet cozy Drawing Room (or sitting room), a formal Dining Room, the well appointed Kitchen, and a Powder Room. Moving upstairs to the second level, you come upon the Library, stocked with over 300 great books for your reading enjoyment. Also on the second level you will find the Master Suite, consisting of a beautiful bedroom and stunning bath with a shower, separate tub, and double sinks. The washer/dryer is also located in the master bath for your convenience, although cleverly hidden from view. With the second floor piazza entrance located just outside your bedroom door, you will be tempted to grab a book and rock away while enjoying the views of the garden and City. Finally, up to the third level you will find two well appointed Guestrooms, one with a futon added for a young adult or child. We also have a full bath (shower only) on this level, as well as a small sitting area at the top of the steps.