131 Pritchard Street

Description

Pritchard House, ca. 1890, is a significant historical home located in the Old Town Bluffton Riverfront Edge Historic District. Overlooking the May River, it is recognized as one of Bluffton's most treasured properties for its history and beauty, offering sought-after stunning river sunset views. Nestled under 12 live oaks and surrounded by extensive landscaping, the property includes a main residence and guest cottage. The home features heart pine construction, 12-foot bead board ceilings, and tall windows that slide into wall pockets, opening onto the riverfront porch. Its design captures prevailing breezes through breezeway connections and preserved wind-catching rear rooms. The grand hall, originally the living and dining space, offers open sightlines to the lawn and water. Upgrades include Viking appliances, mahogany & glass kitchen front doors, and a herringbone brick floor in the side foyer and mudroom. The kitchen island features a glass-covered inlaid top, Mermaid by the Sea, by local artist Lillian Heyward. Outdoor enhancements include a crushed limestone driveway and river rock pathways through year-round landscaping with lemon trees, blueberry bushes, herb garden and a blood orange tree. A fountain between the main house and guest cottage is visible from both porches. Built in the mid-1890s by Charles Teft Pritchard on the site of his father's earlier home destroyed during the Civil War; the residence sat vacant for more than 50 years before its 1995 restoration under the guidance of preservation experts. Two flanking wings were added for a primary suite and kitchen/dining/sitting area, maintaining the Carolina farmhouse with Queen Anne elements. The guest cottage, built of long leaf heart pine, was relocated from its overgrown site during the 1990s work. Restored the cottage offers two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, and front porch. Guests enjoy fishing, bird and dolphin watching, or garden strolls. Today, it serves as an Airbnb 5 Star Guest Favorite Destination. Mrs. Pritchard once operated it as a three-room boarding house, explaining its three porch doors facing the prevailing breeze. Now the garden shed, meals were prepared in what was the detached summer kitchen, intended to protect the main house from heat and fire risk. Ability to renovate or replace it with a 2-story garage. Walk to town or take the golf cart & enjoy all Bluffton has to offer.