Ask A Local
Here’s your chance to ask a Charleston local any question (well, any question within reason). If Glimpses does not know the answer, we’ll find someone who does. What do you want to know about Charleston?
What’s the deal with the City Market? Were slaves sold there or not?
asks John H., from Seattle, Washington…
The City Market is what was called the “Slaves’ Market,” not the “Slaves Market.” That apostrophe makes all the difference in the world. While a shocking number of humans were sold into slavery in Charleston (a very dark period in the City’s history), they were not sold at what is now called the City Market. The Slaves’ Market (note the apostrophe) was actually where the slaves were allowed to go and sell things (items they made, cooked, created) for their own benefit.
The bad history of selling slaves took place at the Slave Mart and other locations.
Wasn’t the original color of the College of Charleston a mixture of cows blood and white paint…
asks “D,” who is originally from New York, but now lives in Charleston. For this question we turned to a local expert — John LaVerne, who is the head and founder of Bulldog Tours. John says, “The wall around the CofC Cistern/Randolph Hall is made of brick with stucco over it. When built, the masons opted to use ox blood instead of water when making the mortar mix. The closest creek was several blocks away so the ox blood was easier to get. I assume the ox was killed for food or perhaps died in the area – I can’t imagine they killed a work animal just to use its blood for mortar mix.” So there you have it, right from the cow’s, um horse’s, mouth. Thanks John… and thanks for the question D.
Is it true that there is a Civil War submarine buried under a street in Charleston?
asks Mike L, from Montgomery, Texas.
Yes and no, Mike. A torpedo boat (which looked a lot like a submarine, but never fully submerged in the water) was definitely abandoned and left to rot in the water by what is now Tradd Street near Rutledge Avenue (the photo taken in 1865 gives a pretty good view of it). In 1998, a team using ground penetrating radar found anomalies under the pavement of Tradd Street which resembled the boat. But since that area has long been filled in and is now under Tradd Street, it was never excavated. Pretty cool to think it is there though.
Please settle something for us. My husband calls it Battery Park, I think it is actually called White Point Gardens. Who is correct?
asks Alexa T., from Providence, RI.
I hate to say it, Alexa, but you are both wrong. While Battery Park is a popular nickname for the wonderful spot at the tip of the Charleston peninsula, the proper name is White Point Garden (no “s” — you were so close!). Home to a beautiful bandstand and all sorts of monuments, cannons and other weaponry, it gets its name from all the sun-bleached oyster shells that used to be there.
Hi! Two Questions…
said, Gina K., from Alabaster, Alabama…
In walking along the battery today, it appeared that some of the lovely homes looked like no one lived in them. Are they second homes for some fortunate owners?
We also noticed in front of a couple of the homes, some sort of ironwork next to the doorway. One was curved and another was more squared in shape. Are they something to clean boots or shoes?
Thank you for all of your beautiful Glimpses of Charleston!
Gina… while many of the houses in the historic district are vibrant primary residences, there are quite a few that are second (or third or fourth…) homes for their owners. The Roper House is a great example. One of the most significant houses in the city, it is owned by Dick Jenrette, as part of his collection of significant American houses (the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust). Depending on the house, you can hear the sounds of families with kids or the silence of it waiting for the owners to visit.
With regard to the ironwork, you nailed it. They are boot/shoe cleaners. A simple, yet elegant solution for keeping the dirt outside the wonderful houses.
Thanks for asking, and so glad you enjoy the Glimpses!
I was wondering if the Pirates Courtyard is a public space. Looks like a nice spot to take a break. Wouldn’t want to intrude on someones private space.
asks Carolyn M., from Youngstown, Ohio…
The Pirates Courtyard is a very cool spot in Charleston, which is rich in history (the house dates from the early 1700’s, and Blackbeard is said to have frequented it) and some great stories (did you know that there was a tunnel from one of the buildings down to the water so the pirates could escape if necessary?). Unfortunately, it is private property. But Charleston being such a welcoming city, if you ask a resident, perhaps they’ll invite you in for a peek.
We have heard such great things about the Charleston Farmers Market. We’ll be visiting Charleston soon and want to go. Is it open all year long?
asks Shana W., from Portland, ME.
Shana, the Charleston Farmers Market is great. It’s the place to be in Charleston on Saturday morning — there is great food, fresh produce, art, jewelry and more. The people watching is fantastic and it’s a wonderful way to start the day. It’s open 8:00 Am until 2:00 every Saturday from early April until end of November… then there are special days and hours through the end of the year.
You can find out all the details here.
Enjoy!
What’s with the permit parking signs all over Charleston that have an hour limit? Can I park there or what?
asks Jerry D., from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Those signs sure are confusing, aren’t they Jerry?
Despite saying you have to have a permit, anyone can park there but only up to the time limit stated on the sign. If you have a resident parking permit, you can park there as long as you want. But be careful, if you park in that spot and then move to another spot within the same parking district, they will ticket you if your cumulative time in the multiple spots is over the time limit. To start the clock running again, you need to have fully moved out of that specific parking district. Rather than play parking roulette, you can also park in one of the parking garages scattered about downtown (which also have public bathrooms!). Charleston parking enforcement is very diligent, so if you park on the street (in a parking district of at a meter) keep your eye on your watch!
I have watched with horror about the murders at that church in Charleston, then with admiration about how the community came together with such love and support. Is there a way to donate to help support the families and the city?
asks Michaela R., from Portland, OR.
Thank you for asking, Michaela. It has been a horrible time, as well as an inspiring one, in Charleston.The City of Charleston has set up a fund to help defray funeral and burial costs for the families, with any excess going to the Emanuel AME Church to determine how best it is spent. The Palmetto Project, a non-profit group, has set up another fund to support initiatives and projects of Reverend Clementa Pickney, who was slain at the church. You can learn more about both funds here.
Giving to both funds has been very generous, and I am sure any donation you make would be extremely appreciated.
I know that Charleston was once a walled city. Where exactly was the wall located and can some of that wall still be seen (visited)?
asks Suzanne J., from Summerville, SC…
The best description and history of the walled city of Charleston is provided by Historic Charleston Foundation, which has spent a lot of time on this subject. Katherine Pemberton of HCF also chaired the Mayor’s Walled City Task Force, which has a detailed website. They even have a Facebook page. Katherine has written an extensive and detailed report on the city’s wall, which you can find here.
Unfortunately, the remains of the wall are not visible on the streets (a portion is visible in the basement of the Old Exchange Building) — although in their excavations on East Bay Street, the Task Force left a representation on the street surface of what they found, as well as a very informative informational sign. (The site is at intersection of East Bay Street and South Adger’s Wharf at the foot of Tradd Street. The sign is on East Bay Street and the bricked representation of the wall is in the parking lot behind it.)
It’s a fascinating part of Charleston’s history… thanks for asking.
