The George Warren Gignilliat House (often listed simply as the G. W. Gignilliat House) is a historically significant residence in Seneca, SC, and a notable contributor to the city’s rich architectural heritage. Located at 300 West South First Street, it sits within Seneca’s designated Historic District. Built in 1898, the home reflects the affluence and influence of the Gignilliat family—early merchants and cotton-packing pioneers in Seneca.

• Style: Exemplifies Queen Anne Victorian architecture, with classic features like asymmetrical form, complex rooflines, wide wraparound porches, and decorative trim.
• Restoration: Underwent meticulous three-decade-long preservation work by its current owners, including restoration of original exterior color schemes and stained-glass windows
• Interior details:
  • ~5,000 ft² of living space across 13 main rooms, plus attic, basement, and separate guest apartment
  • Ceilings: 12 ft on first floor, 11 ft on second floor.
  • Fireplaces: Eight oak-mantled hearths featuring English-imported tile (now sealed)
  • Floors: 1927 oak in public areas and preserved heart‑pine in private rooms
  • Full modern updates: Updated electrical, plumbing, heat pump HVAC, gas‑steam radiators and a 2021 slate-look roof

George Warren Gignilliat (1854–1926), a prominent local businessman, engineered the home—likely with plans by Knoxville architect George Barber. The Gignilliat family, Huguenot descendants dating to late-1600s Carolina, had major commercial and civic impact in the region—running cotton and fertilizer enterprises—earning a prominent place in Seneca’s founding narrative.

• Architectural gem: An intact Victorian-era residence exemplifying Queen Anne design and craftsmanship.

• Historic legacy: Closely tied to the economic and civic development of Seneca at the turn of the 20th century.
• Preservation success: Thoughtful, long-term restoration preserves both historic integrity and modern livability.