603 West Richardson Avenue | Likely Built 1855–1858 | Current Owners: Steven and Denise Lang
Likely constructed between 1855 and 1858, White Gables stands as a Greek Revival landmark in Summerville. A 1939 book attributes the house’s construction to Henry T. Peake, though earlier assumptions linking it to his father have not been substantiated.
Peake’s career was deeply tied to the railroad; he began working in a machine shop at age sixteen and later served as superintendent of the South Carolina Railroad Company. In 1860, he was elected to the South Carolina House and voted in favor of secession.
Original floors, carved ceiling medallions — including one cracked during the 1886 earthquake — and extensive period furnishings remain part of the interior. The gardens, laid out in English Camellia style, include an eighteenth-century fountain, iron gargoyles, a brick-and-glass conservatory, and a gazebo originally constructed as the home’s privy, described as one of only three remaining octagonal cupolas of its kind in the country.
Under the stewardship of Steven and Denise Lang, White Gables continues to reflect both architectural distinction and historical continuity.
This home is part of the 2026 Summerville Historic Homes & Gardens Tour. Explore all five featured homes in our Legacy in Bloom series.
Photography by, Bianka Lamb
By AZALEA Magazine
