Inside the oldest and most expensive mansion in Charleston, which is selling for $16 million, is said to be haunted, and was once owned by Abraham Lincoln's granddaughter

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Inside the oldest and most expensive mansion in Charleston, which is selling for $16 million, is said to be haunted, and was once owned by Abraham Lincoln's granddaughter

Sword Gate House jessie randolph lincoln

Courtesy of Handsome Properties; Wikimedia Commons; Business Insider

Despite its priceless historical value and design, the $16 million Sword Gate House in Charleston, South Carolina, is having a hard time finding a buyer.

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  • The Sword Gate House is the most expensive and oldest mansion in Charleston, South Carolina, with a whopping $16 million price tag.
  • It's 200 years old and has nine bedrooms, lavish antique furnishings, and 12 fireplaces.
  • It also boasts priceless historical value -the home was designed in the Federal Period, was the private residence of the granddaughter of President Abraham Lincoln at one point, and locals say it's inhabited by a friendly ghost.
  • But it's spent nine stale years on and off the market with multiple price drops.

In the South Carolina city of Charleston sits a beautiful, 17,000-square-foot mansion immersed in history, luxury, and exquisite design - and no one seems to want to buy it.

The 200-year-old home, known as The Sword Gate House, was listed in 2009 and since then has seen multiple price drops from its original $23 million price tag; its current asking price is $16 million.

Check out the charming Southern estate and why it has struggled on the market.

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The Sword Gate House at 32 Legare St. is the most expensive home in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Sword Gate House at 32 Legare St. is the most expensive home in Charleston, South Carolina.

Source: Work and Money and Zillow

The asking price? Almost $16 million.

The asking price? Almost $16 million.

Source: Zillow

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The property was last sold in 1998 for $3 million. It landed on the market again in 2009 for $23 million, after some major renovations.

The property was last sold in 1998 for $3 million. It landed on the market again in 2009 for $23 million, after some major renovations.

Source: Realtor and Work and Money

It's seen various price changes since then, with the current price of $16 million a hefty drop from its original $23 million.

It's seen various price changes since then, with the current price of $16 million a hefty drop from its original $23 million.

Source: Realtor

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The lack of buyer interest is a bit baffling, considering the home's priceless historical value.

The lack of buyer interest is a bit baffling, considering the home's priceless historical value.

In its 200-year lifespan, The Sword Gate House has been an inn, a private all-girls school, a tannery for processing animal hides ...

In its 200-year lifespan, The Sword Gate House has been an inn, a private all-girls school, a tannery for processing animal hides ...

Source: Handsome Properties

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... and a seasonal residence for Jessie Lincoln Randolph, a granddaughter of President Abraham Lincoln, who bought the mansion in 1930.

... and a seasonal residence for Jessie Lincoln Randolph, a granddaughter of President Abraham Lincoln, who bought the mansion in 1930.

Source: Handsome Properties and Town and Country

"It has kind of a mysterious air to it," historian Robert Rosen told Charleston Real Estate. "It's like a miniature history of Charleston."

"It has kind of a mysterious air to it," historian Robert Rosen told Charleston Real Estate. "It's like a miniature history of Charleston."

Source: Charleston Real Estate

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As for the estate's name, Sword Gate House, inspiration was drawn from the sturdy wrought iron gate at its entrance.

As for the estate's name, Sword Gate House, inspiration was drawn from the sturdy wrought iron gate at its entrance.

Source: Work and Money

It was crafted in 1838 by a well-known iron maker at the time and is inlaid with iron swords.

It was crafted in 1838 by a well-known iron maker at the time and is inlaid with iron swords.

Source: Work and Money

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When the gate is shut, the swords appear to be pointing toward each other.

When the gate is shut, the swords appear to be pointing toward each other.

Past the gates, and the brick walls that line the entire property, is a carriage house.

Past the gates, and the brick walls that line the entire property, is a carriage house.

Source: Zillow

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It's been converted into two apartments.

It's been converted into two apartments.

Source: Work and Money

The living room inside has brick walls and beamed ceilings.

The living room inside has brick walls and beamed ceilings.
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And its bedroom sports a fireplace and a beige bed canopy.

And its bedroom sports a fireplace and a beige bed canopy.

There's also a separate wing for staff and a conservatory ...

There's also a separate wing for staff and a conservatory ...

Source: Zillow

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... but nothing compares to the breathtaking interior of the main residence.

... but nothing compares to the breathtaking interior of the main residence.

When the house was renovated in the early 2000s, preservation experts helped ensure that the home maintained its original Old World design.

When the house was renovated in the early 2000s, preservation experts helped ensure that the home maintained its original Old World design.

Source: Work and Money

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The home's plasterwork and woodwork are prime examples of Federal Era design, conservation architect Richard Marks told Charleston Real Estate.

The home's plasterwork and woodwork are prime examples of Federal Era design, conservation architect Richard Marks told Charleston Real Estate.

Source: Charleston Real Estate

"Sword Gate really represents some of the best surviving architecture of that Federal Period in Charleston," he said.

"Sword Gate really represents some of the best surviving architecture of that Federal Period in Charleston," he said.

Source: Charleston Real Estate

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But restoring the home meant a higher price tag, and when the home landed on the market in 2009, its asking price of $23 million was the highest Charleston had ever seen.

But restoring the home meant a higher price tag, and when the home landed on the market in 2009, its asking price of $23 million was the highest Charleston had ever seen.

Source: Charleston Inside Out

In a city where the median real estate value is $312,000, the home was asking nearly 74 times that. What's more, the country as a whole was recovering from the 2008 recession.

In a city where the median real estate value is $312,000, the home was asking nearly 74 times that. What's more, the country as a whole was recovering from the 2008 recession.

Source: Zillow

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When the home initially went on the market, Americans weren't too focused on buying homes with 12 different fireplaces ...

When the home initially went on the market, Americans weren't too focused on buying homes with 12 different fireplaces ...

Source: Work and Money

... or glittering chandeliers.

... or glittering chandeliers.
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And so the listing stalled on the market.

And so the listing stalled on the market.

Source: Zillow

A dining room's walls are covered in a mural depicting a calm sea ...

A dining room's walls are covered in a mural depicting a calm sea ...
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... while another dining room is painted a pale green.

... while another dining room is painted a pale green.

One of the manor's nine bedrooms is decked out in a rich royal green color palette.

One of the manor's nine bedrooms is decked out in a rich royal green color palette.

Source: Realtor

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And its cozy bathroom matches.

And its cozy bathroom matches.

Another bedroom is decorated in shades of red and pink with an elegant canopy ...

Another bedroom is decorated in shades of red and pink with an elegant canopy ...
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... and the master suite sports a beige interior.

... and the master suite sports a beige interior.

The master bathroom has a pristine freestanding tub, which was added during the home's restoration.

The master bathroom has a pristine freestanding tub, which was added during the home's restoration.
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The home was taken off the market in November of 2011 and re-listed with the same price that December, during a time when Charleston's real estate market was in a slump.

The home was taken off the market in November of 2011 and re-listed with the same price that December, during a time when Charleston's real estate market was in a slump.

Source: Charleston Inside Out

Another bathroom has a clawfoot tub as well as wallpaper along its walls and ceiling.

Another bathroom has a clawfoot tub as well as wallpaper along its walls and ceiling.
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Though not every bathroom holds a unique, vintage tub — this one is more standard.

Though not every bathroom holds a unique, vintage tub — this one is more standard.

Upstairs is another bedroom in the attic.

Upstairs is another bedroom in the attic.
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Dainty naval scenes are printed in white and blue.

Dainty naval scenes are printed in white and blue.

Perhaps the most modern space is the kitchen.

Perhaps the most modern space is the kitchen.
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A curved counter sits feet from the island.

A curved counter sits feet from the island.

And a modern-day oven is installed for use ...

And a modern-day oven is installed for use ...
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... but a touch of the Old World can still be spotted with the wood oven stove.

... but a touch of the Old World can still be spotted with the wood oven stove.

The home saw even more price drops since 2011, as well as another de-listing and re-listing back onto the market. But Charleston's job and real estate markets are bustling now.

The home saw even more price drops since 2011, as well as another de-listing and re-listing back onto the market. But Charleston's job and real estate markets are bustling now.

Source: Charleston In and Out and The Post Courier

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As for the supposed haunting at The Sword Gate, it's said that the headmistress of the girls' school that once occupied the property never left.

As for the supposed haunting at The Sword Gate, it's said that the headmistress of the girls' school that once occupied the property never left.

Source: Sotheby's Realty, Scares and Haunts of Charleston, and Work and Money

Reports say that the strict principal, entrusted by wealthy locals to keep a keen eye on their young daughters, was humiliated when one of her students escaped the school grounds and eloped with a man that the girl's father deemed unworthy.

Reports say that the strict principal, entrusted by wealthy locals to keep a keen eye on their young daughters, was humiliated when one of her students escaped the school grounds and eloped with a man that the girl's father deemed unworthy.

Source: Sotheby's Realty, Scares and Haunts of Charleston, and Work and Money

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Legend has it she never got over the embarrassment, even in the afterlife, and now walks the halls of the Sword Gate House to ensure that nothing escapes her again.

Legend has it she never got over the embarrassment, even in the afterlife, and now walks the halls of the Sword Gate House to ensure that nothing escapes her again.

Source: Sotheby's Realty, Scares and Haunts of Charleston, and Work and Money

There aren't, however, any known accounts of violent paranormal attacks or incidents in the home.

There aren't, however, any known accounts of violent paranormal attacks or incidents in the home.
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Though according to a Realtor.com report, that may not matter — 42% of homebuyers said they would not consider a home if it were haunted, no matter what.

Though according to a Realtor.com report, that may not matter — 42% of homebuyers  said they would not consider a home if it were haunted, no matter what.

Source: Inman

Another downside to the listing is that it's been stagnant for nine years and its price has gradually decreased, which can spook buyers.

Another downside to the listing is that it's been stagnant for nine years and its price has gradually decreased, which can spook buyers.

Source: U.S. News

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But buyers can't be too picky in Charleston right now. There's actually a shortage of luxury homes for Charleston's wealthy prospective homeowners. Homes are selling within 30-day windows.

But buyers can't be too picky in Charleston right now. There's actually a shortage of luxury homes for Charleston's wealthy prospective homeowners. Homes are selling within 30-day windows.

Source: The Post and Courier

It's nothing but luxury outside behind the conservatory, where you'll find a reflecting pool.

It's nothing but luxury outside behind the conservatory, where you'll find a reflecting pool.

Source: Realtor

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Relaxing seating areas are sprinkled across the .8 acre lot.

Relaxing seating areas are sprinkled across the .8 acre lot.

Source: Realtor

And a hot tub oasis sits unobstructed by fallen Magnolia leaves above.

And a hot tub oasis sits unobstructed by fallen Magnolia leaves above.
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Maybe Charleston's now-stimulated economy is just what the home needs.

Maybe Charleston's now-stimulated economy is just what the home needs.

Source: The Post and Courier

And whoever buys it will make history for purchasing the most expensive home in the city.

And whoever buys it will make history for purchasing the most expensive home in the city.

Source: Work and Money

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