THE HISTORIC CITY OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

The city of Charleston was enclosed within a protective wall for most of the years that the settlements were owned by England. We will explore the area that was barricaded with the walls. We will begin at the southeast corner of Meeting and Cumberland Streets. Here you will find a plaque that has a map of the original city.

Heading east on Cumberland Street, you will encounter a stucco house at 83 Cumberland. This house is believed to be the first brick house erected in the city. It was the home of Chief Justice Nicholas Trott.

The Powder Magazine is located at 79 Cumberland Street. This structure was Charleston’s main storage facility for munitions and gunpowder. The building has a steep hip roof, gables, brick vaulting and pantiles on the roof. The original building was used during the American Revolution. It is rumored that paintings of George I were stored here for safekeeping during the war. The building was rebuilt in the 1700’s.

Looking at the side of the Powder Magazine, you will see large crosses. There are large bolts inserted in here to protect the building from earthquakes. This was done after the earthquake in 1886 which damaged much of Charleston and Summerville.

The Old Powder Magazine

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

In the middle of Church Street it is hard to miss the large steeple on top of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. The church was built in 1835-1838. It is graced by three Tuscan porticoes.

This church was built to replace a church that burned. At this time the city wanted to widen Church Street at the expense of the steeple but the congregation argued that the steeple was far more beautiful than a wider street. The compromise was to move the church to the east and curve the street around it. In this way the parishioners were said to have commented that no one could miss seeing their church now.

St. Philip’s Church played an active role in the Civil War. The Renaissance-style steeple was used as a line-of-sight target during the Federal attack on Charleston. They say the church was hit 16 times and the church bells were melted for cannons. The bells were not replaced until July 4, 1976.

On the opposite side of the street is the church cemetery. Some of Charleston’s most famous residents are buried here. These include: John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War and Vice President of the United States; Charles Pinkney, a signer of the Constitution; and Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

At 141 and 143 Church Street are found two tenements that were built around 1740 by a Huguenot merchant. These are excellent examples of the typical homes. 141 is a single tenement. It is only one room wide. 143 is a double tenement, two rooms wide. Houses were built this way because they were taxed on street frontage. The houses were long and narrow. The front of the house was actually on the side, not on the street.

French Huguenot Church

This church was built in 1845. Notice the buttresses, the original pointed-arch windows, and spires topped with finials. The cast iron accents are unusual and add interest.

Dock Street Theatre

The Pink House

South Carolina National Bank

Union Insurance Company

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

Rainbow Row

Chalmers Street

The longest cobblestone street in Charleston.

5 – 7 Tradd Street A good example of a double tenement.

Tradd Street

In 1778, a large portion of Tradd Street was burned. Many of the homes have been rebuilt and have plaques from the Preservation Society of Charleston on them which give the details of their history.

Broad Street

This street was named Broad Street because it’s the widest street in Historic Charleston.

The Heyward-Washington House, built in 1772 was the home of Thomas Heyward Jr., signer of the Declaration of Independence. When George Washington came to Charleston in 1791, the house was rented for his use. It is the only 18th century house museum in the city with a kitchen building open to the public. The exquisite formal garden is comprised of plants available to Charlestonians during that period. It is a National Historic Landmark.

Charleston County Courthouse

Charleston City Hall

U. S. Post Office

This concludes our tour. Thank you for touring Historic Charleston South Carolina with me. I hope you have enjoyed it, and I encourage you to visit there for yourself where you can learn even more about our history.

Melissa Warren Resource Teacher/Technology Coordinator Stonewall Jackson Elementary School [email protected]