HISTORY: BLUFFTON

On Friday, June 21, 1996, the Blu ton Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Roughly bounded by the May River and centered along Calhoun and Bridge streets, the Blu ton Historic District was comprised of 46 contributing buildings and two sites (i.e., Huger and Heyward coves) that defined the character of the Town. According to the Nomination, “the Blu ton Historic District is architecturally significant for its coherent collection of vernacular residential and commercial architecture, which e ectively shows the evolution of the town from an antebellum resort community to a thriving commercial center.” In addition to the Blu ton Historic District, two other Resources, the Church of the Cross (1857) and the Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church (1853) are also individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places is the o cial list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation.

On Tuesday, June 19, 2007, the Old Town Blu ton Historic District was established which defines Blu ton’s sense of place. Currently, the Old Town Blu ton Historic District encompasses 86 Contributing Resources (i.e., 84 structures and two open spaces). On May 10, 2022, Town Council designated the former Blu ton Post O ce (41 Bridge Street) and the former Blu ton Health Center (1261 May River Road) as new Contributing Resources; these were the first additions to the Contributing Resources list since 2008.

Any building, structure, site, object, feature, or open space, as designated by Town Council, that adds to the historic associations, architectural qualities, or archeological values that relate to the documented significance of the Old Town Blu ton Historic District. Contributing Resources are shown on the ‘Contributing Resources’ map as approved and amended by Town Council.