The buildings were perhaps operated as counting houses when they were built, but after the Earthquake of 1886, their condition deteriorated until they were a well-known "resort for sailors."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A13CCA871AD118D5A%40GB3NEWS-158763B1C822ED75%402431500-1586FB91D071E8AE%409-15879042B9E24878%40?search_terms=cabbage%20row&s_dlid=DL0116040901413014670&s_ecproduct=SUB-Y-6995-RI&s_ecprodtype=RENEW-A-R&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=&s_referrer=&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2007%2F13%2F2016&s_docsbal=%20&s_subexpires=07%2F13%2F2016&s_docstart=&s_docsleft=&s_docsread=&s_username=sfick29403@att.net&s_accountid=AC0113061420484320982&s_upgradeable=no | title=Cabbage Row Bought by Dawson from Mrs. Briggs | work=News and Courier | date=February 13, 1945 | accessdate=April 8, 2016 | location=Charleston, South Carolina | pages=10}}</ref>
The property was bought by landscape architect [[LoutrellLoutrel Briggs]] in February 1928.<ref name="NewDignity" /> Mr. Briggs intended to restore the buildings as residences suitable for artists.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A13CCA871AD118D5A%40GB3NEWS-15875FADC9B977F8%402425284-15875E4B1EBB4297%400-1589103F4E2C4FA8%40?search_terms=cabbage%20row&s_dlid=DL0116040901471115450&s_ecproduct=SUB-Y-6995-RI&s_ecprodtype=RENEW-A-R&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=&s_referrer=&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2007%2F13%2F2016&s_docsbal=%20&s_subexpires=07%2F13%2F2016&s_docstart=&s_docsleft=&s_docsread=&s_username=sfick29403@att.net&s_accountid=AC0113061420484320982&s_upgradeable=no | title=Artists to Live in Cabbage Row | work=News and Courier | date=February 7, 1928 | accessdate=April 8, 2016 | location=Charleston, South Carolina | pages=1}}</ref> The property sold next to Charles H. Gibbs and his business partners in 1955.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A13CCA871AD118D5A%40GB3NEWS-158C42EA65121D3B%402435431-158BA79EF19FD747%409-158FD1AA96431CA8%40?search_terms=cabbage%20row&s_dlid=DL0116040901385814352&s_ecproduct=SUB-Y-6995-RI&s_ecprodtype=RENEW-A-R&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=&s_referrer=&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2007%2F13%2F2016&s_docsbal=%20&s_subexpires=07%2F13%2F2016&s_docstart=&s_docsleft=&s_docsread=&s_username=sfick29403@att.net&s_accountid=AC0113061420484320982&s_upgradeable=no | title=Cabbage Row, Landmark of City, Is Sold | work=News and Courier | date=November 19, 1955 | accessdate=April 8, 2016 | location=Charleston, South Carolina | pages=10}}</ref>
