About 216 N Mechanic Street
The Benson House, Circa 1812...a mysterious and enduring jewel nestled in the heart of Historic Downtown Pendleton. Though little has been formally documented about the home itself, its legend has echoed through the streets for generations. Whispers of its past have stirred the curiosity of townsfolk, historians, and preservationists alike. Originally erected on East Queen Street on the very site now known as “Brews on the Square”. The home narrowly escaped demolition thanks to the stewardship of a perhaps unlikely savior: Bank of America, which honored its historical value and preserved it for posterity. Rich with character and steeped in legacy, the home flourished in its early days under the ownership of Mr. Enoch B. Benson, one of Pendleton’s most prominent civic figures. Sheriff of Pendleton District from 1800 to 1815, street commissioner, and the town’s first appointed mayor, Benson's legacy is woven into the fabric of local lore. Yet, his life was not without scandal. In a dramatic chapter worthy of retelling, he was tried but later acquitted for murder after a botched arrest. Beyond his public service, Benson was also a local merchant and proprietor of E.B. Benson & Son, serving the everyday needs of his fellow citizens. In 1838, he helped establish Pendleton Manufacturing, one of South Carolina’s earliest and longest-running textile mills. But Mr. Benson is just one thread in this home’s long and textured tapestry. If these old walls could speak, they would tell tales of the town’s golden days of four and six-horse wagons rattling down dusty lanes, of joyous celebrations and solemn reckonings. They would whisper of the infamous town bonfire where abolitionist letters were burned in protest, and murmur stories of war and peace, of sweltering summer days and bitter winter nights endured under its hand-hewn beams. Now, The Benson House stands once more in quiet dignity, preserved, storied, and waiting. Ready to welcome a new steward, it offers rare flexibility: a potential private residence, commercial venture, or even a multi-family dwelling, as it has already been thoughtfully designed with multiple private entrances. With modest modifications and a keen eye for finishing, this remarkable home could once again reign as the town jewel honoring its past while embracing a vibrant future in Pendleton’s ever-growing downtown.
