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Alexander House

Introduction

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The Alexander House, which now operates as a bed and breakfast hotel called The Inn on Main, is one of the most beautiful historic homes in Spartanburg. Named after one of its owners, Alonzo Marshall Alexander (1867-1933), it was built in 1904 and is an exceptional example of Neoclassical architecture. It features wrap around porches on the first and second floors, four large Tuscan columns supporting the roof and pediment, decorative porch balustrades (railings), and oval-shaped windows. Alexander was a successful merchant whose had business interests in the city and neighboring areas

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The historic Alexander House was built in 1904 and now operates as the The Inn on Main bed. A fine example of Neoclassical architecture, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Plant, Property, Sky, Window

Backstory and Context

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The house was built by businessman John A. Walker who owned a store on Morgan Square. He sold the home to another businessman, W.C. Carrington, who then sold it to Alexander in 1907. Alexander was born in Abbeville County and moved with his wife to Greenville where he, his brother and cousin opened a store selling pianos, organs and sewing machines. Alexander moved his family to Spartanburg in 1897 after his brother died and opened another store. He also established an insurance company and in 1903 started to invest in real estate, eventually owning properties in Spartanburg and nearby towns. Alexander's grandson moved his business (the Alexander Music House) into the home in 1969. The business closed in 1994, thus ending the family's ownership of the house. A chiropractic clinic opened in the house in 1997 and operated until 2002. The current owners of the house bought it at that time, converting it into the inn, which opened in 2003.

Sources

"History." The Inn On Main. Accessed April 30, 2021. http://www.innonmainofspartanburg.com/history.html.

Sease, Susan et al. "Alexander House." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. April 11, 2003. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/826692c6-491b-493e-b317-c3453c05cae5.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Bill Fitzpatrick, via Wikimedia Common: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexander_House.jpg

Additional Information