Sometimes, the best window into our past is to look at the present, especially when the haunting remains of the past stand out in an ever-present way as they do with the ruins of the Tanglewood Mansion in Pendleton. South Carolina is home to a number of must-see ruins, like those found along these seven trails in the Palmetto State. But you only have to park your car and walk across the parking lot in Pendleton to observe the ruins of an 1860s family mansion that now stands beside the public library.

Tanglewood Mansion was first built in 1860 and burned in 1907.
Historical Marker Database
The fire didn't stop the Sloan family from rebuilding, though. By 1910, John Baylis Earle Sloan had completed an entire rebuild of the mansion using the original foundation and chimneys. This time, the style of architecture was more closely aligned with Colonial Revival; the new build also made use of the previous columns that supported the roof over the grand entrance.
The family named the estate Tanglewood. It's unclear how they chose the name.
Google/Hank Myers
Today, Tanglewood sits in the wide open air and the blazing seasonal hot sun, withering away year after year. Since the mansion was first built, a new neighbor has moved in... it's the Pendleton Branch of the Anderson County Library system.
Folks visiting the neighboring library have but only to walk across the parking lot to gaze at the haunting ruins of a structure that was once alive with the sounds of children's laughter.
Google/Charles Serdoner
The family may have gathered out on the porch to escape the heat of the hot summer inside what would have been, at least in the early years, a house without air conditioning since air conditioning wasn't invented until 1902.
Tanglewood Mansion is one of Anderson County's pride and joy locations.
Google/Charles Serdoner
The county often posts photos of the haunting ruins on its Facebook page. Also, a historical marker is present, detailing some of the highlights of the mansion ruins that sit on the property here.
And about those columns that once supported the high two-story roof... they're still here!
Facebook/Anderson County, S.C.
As if still supporting part of the home's exterior, they reach for the sky, each in perfect alignment that you'd expect of a historical or modern portico.
A few years ago, a fence was erected all the way around the ruins of the Tanglewood Mansion.
Google/Hank Myers
This was undoubtedly constructed for the safety of visitors. Please adhere to the implied intention of the fence and do not cross the boundary for photos, exploration, or any other reason.

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Simply by walking around the perimeter of the fence, you'll be able to gain amazing views of the ruins.
Google/Charles Serdoner
Nearly the entire foundation and bottom floor exterior is still intact, an amazing testament to the architecture and building integrity of the early 1900s, when the second rendition of Tanglewood was constructed.
Google/Charles Serdoner
A visit also gives considerable insight into the foundations of American Colonial Revival architecture.
Google/Charles Serdoner
Afterall, how better to see the quality of the craftmanship than by viewing the foundation and how it has survived the elements in a state of ruins?
As mentioned, these staggering photos of the Tanglewood Mansion in Pendleton are all that remains of the second rendition of the home which was built in 1910 by the original property owner, the Sloan family.
Google/Charles Serdoner
The home was owned by the Sloan family until it was sold in the 1950s.
Google/Charles Serdoner
Soon after, it became a nursing home. Tanglewood burned for the second time in 1970 and has been abandoned and decaying in the elements ever since.
Viewing the ruins is a haunting experience and one that anyone can have.
Google Maps
Just visit the Pendleton Branch of Anderson County Library and walk across the parking lot to the adjoining property immediately to the right of the library.

Have you visited the ruins of Tanglewood Mansion? We’d love hear your feedback! Know of another abandoned spot in South Carolina we should feature here? Let us know all about it right over here!

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Tanglewood Mansion, Pendleton, SC 29670, USA