The story of Col. Richard Lathers and the grand transformation of 20 South Battery, Charleston
In the wake of the Civil War, Charleston was a city scarred by conflict and struggling to find its footing. But in 1870, a colorful character named Col. Richard Lathers—a well-traveled Irish-born entrepreneur with a taste for architecture and diplomacy—stepped in with a vision that would not only restore a crumbling mansion but also become a symbol of unity and rebirth.
Lathers, who had grown up in South Carolina but made his fortune in New York, returned to Charleston and bought what was then known as the Stevens-Lathers House for $13,000. The house stood proudly along the newly named South Battery, and Lathers saw in it more than a home—he saw a stage for reconciliation.
To help realize his dream, he hired John Henry Devereux, one of the country’s leading post-Civil War architects. A Charleston transplant with Irish roots, Devereux had already made a name for himself designing grand churches and civic buildings. For the Stevens-Lathers House, he went all out—adding a striking mansard roof, lavish Second Empire details, and even a library in the attic with panoramic views of the harbor.
But the showstopper was a 1,200-square-foot ballroom, where Lathers hosted glittering receptions. Inside, Northern industrialists, Southern generals, politicians, poets, and socialites rubbed elbows under soaring ceilings, surrounded by rare books and fine art. It wasn’t just a party—it was a peace summit.
One evening, former Union and Confederate officers met to calmly debate the Battle of Bull Run, each respecting the other’s experience. On another occasion, poet William Cullen Bryant toasted to Charleston’s rising spirit, while Governor Horatio Seymour praised the city’s resilience.
These events weren’t just high society fluff—they were strategic gatherings that helped bridge the bitter divide between North and South. Lathers, ever the gentleman diplomat, believed in rebuilding not just with bricks and mortar, but with conversation, culture, and a good glass of punch.
By 1873, the once-war-torn mansion was hailed as “one of the most striking private residences in the city,” and Lathers had fully immersed himself in Charleston’s civic life, from banking and trade to cultural societies.
Through his home, Lathers helped Charleston transition from a city of ashes to one of elegance and possibility. And to this day, the Stevens-Lathers House stands as a monument—not only to architectural grandeur, but to the power of hospitality, history, and healing.
