A local's eye view
This church on Meeting Street was built in 1848-50 to house the congregation for Third Presbyterian Church. 1926 the building was sold to Trinity Methodist Church, whose congregation moved from a church they had been in since 1792. As part of the move they brought a Tiffany stained glass window honoring George Walton Williams — who built what became to be called the Calhoun Mansion (now the Williams Mansion).
A view down Broad Street to St. Michael’s Church. The church’s steeple was such an inviting target for the British during the Revolutionary War that it was painted black to make it tougher on the British gunners. Unfortunately, it was discovered that the black made the tower stand out even more against the blue sky. Unintended consequences!
Some beautiful houses along South Battery, facing White Point Garden. The Col. John Ashe House (center) was built c. 1782. Col. Ashe gifted the property for the Gadsden-Burckmeyer House on the left to his daughter Mary — who, along with her husband Capt. Christopher Gadsden, built the house around 1820-30.
The house at 5 East Battery, c 1848, was recently painstakingly restored. It is spectacular, as is its garden. The house is often associated with dentistry, because a previous owner (a dentist) is reputed to have painted it and its wall pink to remind people of healthy gums. But, more significantly, one of its earliest owners, Dr. St. Julien Ravenel, designed the “Little David” — the Confederate semi-submersible craft which was a precursor to the first submarine. The design led to the David Class of semi-submersibles of which over 20 were built for the Confederate navy. The Little David itself was used to attack the famous USS Ironsides.
The Captain Missroon House has a great view of the oleanders along the High Battery. Built between 1808-1810, in the late 17th century the property was the home of the Granville Bastion — the corner fortress built to protect the walled colony of Charles Town from naval invasions of pirates, Spanish and French. It even was used in the defense against the British during the American Revolution. Cool, huh?
While most people would likely think this house is on South Battery, it is actually on East Battery (with incredible views of both White Point Garden and the High Battery). Built before the Civil War c. 1858-60, it was actually once owned by Mrs. Robert E. Lee III (formerly Mary Middleton Pinckney — how’s that for a Charleston name!).
The cockeyed cement posts in front of the George Eveleigh House (c. 1743) on Church Street were originally used to tie up boats that came along Vanderhorst Creek (which was ultimately filled in and is now Water Street). Now they make people wonder why they are there.
The Central Baptist Church, with its distinctive steeple can be found on Radcliffe Street. Built in about 1891, it is the first church in the city to be designed, constructed and financed solely by African Americans.
This door is the incredible entrance to the Col. John Stuart House on Tradd Street, which was built about 1772. The colonel was the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the southern British colonies when the American Revolution broke out. He stayed loyal to the crown, which resulted in his arrest… and then his escape to Florida. He lived out his time there (trying to turn the native Americans against the colonists), dying in 1779.
Some wonderful layers of Charleston along Broad Street. The house was built c. 1800 and commanded a larger amount of property than is now associated with it. Part of its land was condemned for public use around 1818 — for what is now Washington Square (honoring George Washington), alongside Charleston City Hall.