Heart of Bluffton

The Planters Mercantile, is located in Bluffton, South Carolina. It was built in 1890. Unlike most 19th century commercial buildings on Calhoun St., the Mercantile is built with two full stories; the ground floor store has very high ceilings, tall windows and entry doors. The store was a business which offered the area, according to their bill head: Clothing, Dry Goods, Boots, Shoes, Hats and Groceries, Furniture, Wagons, Buggies, and Harness, Sewing Machines, Trunks and Satchels, Cigars, Feed, Grits, Flour, Boat Supplies, Coffins and Fixture.

The Patz Brothers House, is located in Bluffton, South Carolina. It was built in 1892. The history of these houses and the Planters Mercantile are woven together. The Patz brothers, Moses and Abram, came from the northeast around 1890. They built the Planters Mercantile first and then in 1892 constructed a semi-detached double residence next door.

The Cordray House, is located in Bluffton, South Carolina. It was built in 1910. In the 1860 Census for St. Luke's Parish, one Isaac H. Martin, mason and a free black man, his wife Pauline H. Martin and their children, Philip, Mary E., Isiah and John H were listed. In the Charleston Mercury account of the 1863 Burning of Bluffton, it is stated that the federal troops set fire to the Martin House.