Rodgers' Mansion. Charleston's best example of the Second Empire style, was built in 1885-87 by Francis Silas Rodgers, a wealthy cotton factor, phosphate manufacturer and coastwise shipper. His architect was Daniel G. Waynes. The Second Empire style, named for the reign of Emperor Napoleon lll of France, during which the mansard roof (a 16th century invention) was revived, was popular in the U.S. from the 1850s to the 1890s. The interior is elaborately finished in mahogany, oak and walnut, with tile floors and ornate plasterwork, marble mantels and crystal chandeliers which were designed for the house.

Rodgers, a member of City Council and Chairman of the Board of Firemasters for 31 years, organized the city's first paid professional fire department. He liked to watch for fires from the cupola of his house and attended every fire in the city until shortly before his death. Cotton, a major source of his wealth, is memorialized in the bas-relief cornice over the front bay window which depicts cotton plants. After Rodgers' death, the building became the Scottish Rite Temple and the star of that order is set into the sidewalk at the front gate. The house has been the headquarters of Atlantic Coast Life lnsurance company since 1940.

(Stockton, DYKYC, April 21, 1975; Thomas, DYKYC, Oct 27, 1969; Rhett & Steele, pp. 68-69; Stoney, This is Charleston , p. 112)

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