John T. Stevens House – A Landmark Colonial Revival Estate in Historic Kershaw, South Carolina

February 3, 2026

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Built in 1918, the John T. Stevens House stands as one of Kershaw’s most significant and admired historic residences. This distinguished brick Colonial Revival estate, also known as the Dr. Blackwell House, is gracefully set on 1.1 acres in the heart of Historic Kershaw and offers a rare combination of architectural integrity, refined scale, and storied provenance.

Originally constructed for prominent businessman John T. Stevens, the home later became known by longtime owner Dr. Blackwell, who has stewarded the property since the early 1970s. Today, the residence remains remarkably intact, with most of its original design elements carefully preserved.

Inside, the home spans an impressive 7,330 square feet and showcases extraordinary craftsmanship throughout. Highlights include leaded glass features, elaborate plaster moldings, quarter-sawn oak floors with teakwood borders, and a fireplace in nearly every room. Grand Tuscan columns, a classic porte-cochere, and even the original central vacuum system installed in the early 1920s speak to the home’s exceptional level of historic detail.

The main level opens to a grand foyer, anchored by a sweeping staircase and crowned with a stunning crystal chandelier. Formal entertaining spaces abound, including double parlors flanking the entry, a spacious formal dining room, a sunroom, and a cozy sitting room just off the kitchen. The large eat-in kitchen blends historic charm with modern convenience, featuring Thermador appliances, a gas cooktop, double ovens, and a separate pantry.

The primary suite, located on the main floor, includes the main sleeping chamber along with a second adjoining bedroom connected by a dressing room and bath—ideal for use as a nursery, office, or even a sixth bedroom. A split staircase leads upstairs to four generously sized bedrooms, arranged with Jack-and-Jill-style bathrooms, and several rooms open directly onto upper-level balconies overlooking the grounds.

Outdoors, the estate’s magnificent gardens are as storied as the home itself. Originally designed by a New York landscape firm responsible for several notable Charlotte estates, the grounds feature arbors draped with muscadines, native plantings, and meandering garden pathways that reflect decades of thoughtful cultivation. An in-ground pool, positioned within the footprint of the original formal gardens, remains on the property and offers an opportunity for restoration (currently empty and in need of a new liner and inspection).

With its rich history, exceptional architectural details, and timeless garden setting, the John T. Stevens House is more than a residence—it is a legacy property and a treasured piece of South Carolina’s architectural heritage.