Georgetown County purchases historic Customs House
March 24, 2026
Front Street landmark to become county administration hub
The century-old building known locally as the “old customs house” will become a new consolidated county administration building, replacing two nearby buildings currently in use. Georgetown County Council approved the purchase of the property located at 1001 Front Street earlier this month, following favorable due diligence reports and appraisal. The sale has been finalized with a purchase price of $5.43 million and includes the historic photos and furnishings within the building.
Built in 1906 and designed by noted federal architect Ammi B. Young — whose other commissions include the Vermont State House and U.S. customs houses in Charleston and Richmond — the four-story, 17,000-square-foot brick building served for decades as Georgetown’s U.S. Customs House and Post Office. It sits adjacent to the Kaminski House, one of the town’s most storied landmarks.
The purchase consolidates staff currently working in two separate county-owned facilities: The Administration Building at 716 Prince Street and the Public Services Administration building at 104 Screven Street.
Once the move to Front Street is complete, the county plans to sell both properties, along with a third Screven Street property that housed Public Services staff until late last year, when it became the subject of environmental concerns. The county is also reviewing other real property assets that are no longer needed to be sold to offset the purchase of the customs house, which will save operations and maintenance costs for taxpayers.
County Administrator Angela Christian called the acquisition a rare opportunity that serves both the county’s operational needs and its commitment to preserving the area’s history. The building has room for 13-26 offices plus multiple conference rooms. The inclusion of historic photographs and artwork in the sale allows the county to preserve these historic items for the future.
“This building has been a fixture of Georgetown’s identity for 120 years, and bringing it back into public ownership is something we don’t take lightly,” Christian said. “We’ve outgrown our current facilities, and our departments — particularly economic development — need room to grow. This move positions us to serve residents better while helping to preserve one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the county.”
The building’s location adds a strategic dimension to the purchase. It overlooks the county-owned port, for which Georgetown County is currently reviewing proposals for a redevelopment master plan. The old customs house also sits adjacent to the former steel mill site, where the city of Georgetown is pursuing redevelopment. County Council Chairman Clint Elliott said the timing aligns with a larger vision for the Georgetown harbor.
“This stretch of our waterfront is on the edge of something significant,” Elliott said. “Having county government at the center of that corridor, in a building that reflects the history and character of Georgetown, is exactly the kind of investment our community deserves.”
Some retrofitting of the building will be required before county staff can relocate. A specific timeline for the move has not yet been determined. The full discussion and vote by Council can be viewed on the recorded video of Tuesday’s council meeting at youtube.com/watch?v=SwzkIfrx2to.
Georgetown County will provide updates on the transition timeline and next steps as they become available.
