JOLLY POST REVEALED: A LOOK BEHIND THE WALLS OF A HISTORIC SEARS & ROEBUCK HOME

The Jolly Post Story: Part One

Every project has a story that begins long before our team arrives. In downtown Pendleton, South Carolina, the Jolly Post has stood for more than 100 years and remained in the same family for generations. The exact year it was built is unknown, but the home likely dates to the early 1900s and may have originally been a Sears and Roebuck kit house transported to the area by train.

The history is only part of what makes this project remarkable. The remodel is extensive. Over the course of the project, our team will preserve the parts of the house that remain sound, repair significant structural damage, introduce modern building systems, and add new living space designed to serve the family for generations to come.

Since there is so much to document, we are sharing the story as a multipart video series. This first installment offers a look inside the home at the beginning of construction and explains the work required to bring a century-old structure into the present without losing the character and history that make it meaningful.

Architectural Archaeology

Daniel Builders has completed renovations on historic homes before, but the scale of this project sets it apart. Both the interior and exterior were taken back to the studs, giving our team a rare view of how the home was originally constructed. It also gives us access to the structural components that must be evaluated and repaired before the new layout and finishes can take shape.

Opening the walls of an older home often reveals construction methods and materials that are very different from those used today. In this house, the wall framing includes true two-by-four lumber, meaning each board measures a full two inches by four inches. Modern two-by-fours are typically about one and a half inches by three and a half inches.

The exterior walls also predate the sheet goods commonly used in current construction. Instead, one-by-eight boards were installed diagonally across the framing. This diagonal sheathing gives the structure considerable strength and offers a snapshot of how homes were built more than a century ago. Although these methods created an impressively sturdy house, they do not address modern concerns such as air leakage, energy efficiency, and the integration of today's mechanical systems.

Repairing Damage Without Compromising the Home

One of the most significant challenges uncovered during demolition was extensive termite damage. Because the damage affects structural components, the deteriorated lumber cannot simply be removed without first accounting for the weight it carries. The team must support the load above each affected area before removing and replacing the damaged pieces.

That process requires careful sequencing. Temporary supports protect the structure while repairs are underway, and new framing is installed. In other areas, existing walls will be removed and replaced with laminated veneer lumber, or LVL, beams. These engineered structural beams will carry the load from above while allowing the main living areas to become more open and connected.

This is one reason historic renovations require extensive planning and experience. The house must remain stable throughout construction, even as portions of its original structure are repaired, removed, or connected to new construction. Every decision must respect the existing structure and meet current building codes to prepare the home for decades of continued use.

Creating Space for the Next Generation

A large addition at the rear of the house will include a basement and nearly double the home's existing square footage. Within the original footprint, rooms were reconfigured to better support the homeowner’s needs.

One portion of the house that was previously a separate room will become part of the primary bedroom suite. The adjoining room will become the primary bathroom, creating a private retreat within the historic home. The main living space will also expand as walls are removed and structural beams are installed overhead.

Combining Historic Construction with Modern Building Science

These changes are substantial, but the goal is to maintain the home’s historic charm. The family has deep ties to the property, and preserving the architectural legacy is central to the remodel.

Renovating a home of this age is a balance between preservation and performance. Many of the original materials are still viable in strength and function. At the same time, the structure must be updated to meet modern building codes and accommodate electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, and finishes that were never part of its original construction.

Integrating those systems is much more involved than placing new materials inside old walls. Our team must understand how the existing structure carries weight, how air and moisture move through the building, and how new construction will connect to the existing structure. The goal is to improve the structural integrity and introduce 21st-century comforts to preserve the home’s longevity for another 100 years.

That challenge is part of what makes this project so meaningful. It requires respect for the craftsmanship of the original structure, a clear understanding of current building practices, and the ability to find solutions when the conditions behind the walls do not match what anyone expected.

What Comes Next

This renovation is expected to take approximately 12 to 14 months. The next stage will include interior framing and construction of the rear addition and basement. Once the structure and new layout are in place, the project will move into the rough-in phase.

During rough-in, the electrical wiring, plumbing lines, and HVAC components that need to be concealed inside the walls are installed. This work must be completed and inspected before drywall begins. Although much of it will eventually be hidden, the rough-in phase is critical to the safety, comfort, and long-term performance of the finished home.

As the project progresses, this series will continue to document the transformation. Future installments will follow the home through framing, rough-in, drywall, finishes, and the details that integrate the home’s historic character with the new design.

Our expertise is design-build renovation, but this project gave us the opportunity to venture into documentary storytelling as well. Stay tuned as we chronicle the decisions, discoveries, and craftsmanship behind this extensive renovation. We invite you to follow along as this well-known Pendleton landmark begins its next chapter.

Part One of this series introduces the overall vision for the project and captures the home during demolition. Part Two follows the team through the structural changes, showing how the house was stabilized, repaired, and expanded. Part Three shows how the design details came together to preserve this legacy property. Part Four showcases the final transformation of the property.

Are you contemplating a major home renovation? Speak with a Daniel Builders project guide by calling 864.506.5546 and discuss the best path forward for your custom renovation or get your renovation started here!

Watch episode one: Jolly Post Revealed (1 of 4).

Watch episode two: Jolly Post Renewed (2 of 4).

Watch episode three: Jolly Post Preserved (3 of 4).

Watch the stunning conclusion: Jolly Post Transformed (4 of 4).

Watch the client testimonal: Jolly Post Journey.