191 Smith Street
Florence Alberta Clyde House
circa 1845
C. C. Herron, a carpenter, constructed this two-story, wood frame house circa 1845 for his nephew William P. Herron, the minor son of John Herron. William P. Herron also owned 2 adjoining lots to the north. This vernacular dwelling with a full one-story porch is similar in design to 197 Smith Street, also built by C. C. Herron. Featuring a central entrance, flat metal roof, weatherboard siding, and decorative scalloped moldings at the cornice and cornice of the porch, the house was enlarged circa 1897 with the construction of a two-story rear addition. The house was substantially renovated in 2006 when the two-story rear addition was enlarged and the partially enclosed front porch was returned to a full porch.
In 1897 Harriet M. Clyde purchased the property and lived here with her husband John H. Clyde and children. Their daughter Florence Alberta “Bertie” Clyde (1873 – 1967), one of Charleston’s leading African-American educators, lived here for 70 years. The state of South Carolina granted her a lifetime teacher’s certificate after she attended summer courses at the Teachers College of Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and South Carolina State College.
Florence A. Clyde attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (16 Thomas Street) and the Avery Normal School (125 Bull Street) graduating in 1891. Ms. Clyde taught at the Avery School from 1902 to 1943, and was named acting principal in 1944. Sanders-Clyde Elementary School, built in 1960, was named in honor of Florence A. Clyde and Ellen Sanders, also an Avery graduate and educator.
placed by
THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF CHARLESTON
2008 |
_220x220.jpg)
