Staff Writer

A historic home and timberland on the Newberry-Laurens county line could soon became public land.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is working to acquire the 4,664-acre tract, known as Belfast Plantation, according to DNR spokesman Mike Willis.

The property is on Highway 56 near Belfast Road in Laurens and Newberry counties, and includes the historic Belfast Plantation house.

Colonel John Simpson built the two-and-a-half story manor home circa 1785 and named it after his native Belfast, Ireland.

The structure was home to many famous members of the Simpson family, including U.S. and state senators and representatives, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession, a chief justice of the State Supreme Court, and a governor.

In its early history, Belfast housed the only post office between Newberry and Laurens.

One of the best preserved historic sites in the area, the house was owned by Champion International Corporation and used as a hunting lodge and recreational retreat.

With the demise of Champion, the land is now being sold.

“SCDNR intends to manage the land as part of the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Heritage Preserve programs with a special emphasis on youth activities,“ wrote Willis in a release. “The Conservation Fund will be a partner in the deal with us.“

The purchase will protect upland and wetland habitats, provide outdoor recreational opportunities and create a conservation corridor.

The land purchase has not been finalized yet, but on Tuesday the State Budget and Control Board gave its approval.

“We hope to close in mid-October, but will need some time to prepare the property before it's open to the public,“ said Willis.

The appraised value of the land is listed at $8.1 million and funding for the purchase will come from the Federal Forest Legacy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grants, National Wild Turkey Federation, Conservation Bank, Heritage Land Trust and timber revenue funds.

The yearly operating cost for the facility is estimated at $30,000.

The local legislative delegation, which serves the area, must sign off on the project before the deal is completed.

District 40 Representative Walt McLeod said he wanted to discuss the proposal with Newberry County Council before he gave it his approval.

The counties split just over $14,000 anually in income from property taxes on the tract. If it were purchased by the state, no taxes would be collected on the property.