A local's eye view
Between Church and State Streets, just behind where this photo was taken on Broad Street, is the Blind Tiger Pub. A “blind tiger” is another name for the speakeasies which sprung up to provide alcohol and gambling for their clientele during Prohibition. While not claiming to have been one, this pub does have a cool logo and a great courtyard for a drink or some food.
In front of this beautiful antebellum house at the corner of Tradd Street and Rutledge Avenue lies the remains of a torpedo boat (which looked a lot like a submarine, but never fully submerged in the water), which was abandoned and left to rot in the water that used to be there. You can see a very cool photo of it here. 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.
The beautiful graveyard of the Unitarian Church is wonderful to wander through any time of the year, but when flowers are in bloom it is especially memorable. The construction of church itself (the second oldest in Charleston) began in 1772, when the Society of Dissenters decided they needed more space in which to worship. Due to the American Revolutionary War, the building wasn’t completed and dedicated until 1787 — and it wasn’t rechartered as a Unitarian church until 1839.
These beautiful azaleas are on the north side of White Point Garden. Not White Point Gardens. Not Battery Park, White Point Garden — no “s.”
With many Charleston houses fronting right up to the sidewalk, window boxes play a big role as really small front yards. These beautiful ones can be found on Legare Street, where the rest of the yards are pretty big!
These beautiful red doors, protected by the wonderful iron fence and gates, are found at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Archdale Street. Built in 1816-18, to replace a wooden structure, it is believed to have been designed by Frederick Wesner — who also designed the Old Citadel building, as well as the portico of the South Carolina Society Hall. Interestingly, the ironwork was designed by Wesner’s brother-in-law, Abraham P. Reeves.
The beautiful Aiken-Rhett House was once the home of the 61st governor of South Carolina, William Aiken, Jr. The house was in the hands of the Aiken family for 142 years before being sold to the Charleston Museum. It’s now open to the public and maintained by the Historic Charleston Foundation. One of the most interesting aspects of HCF’s ownership is that they elected to preserve it in an “as found” state, providing the opportunity for it to be experienced as it would have been in the mid-19th century. It’s definitely worth the visit!
The Old City Jail is one of Charleston’s most haunted buildings (and it is Glimpses’ favorite). While numerous ghostly activities and been seen and felt by its visitors — there are countless interesting stories — the most famous concern Lavinia Fisher — who is commonly thought of as America’s first female serial killer. She has been spotted many times haunting the Jail. While the Jail has been featured on many TV shows, you can experience it in person through the excellent tours of Bulldog Tours. Ooooooo.
Some beautiful Live Oaks with Spanish Moss framing the Towell Library along the Cistern Yard at the College of Charleston. Before it became the heart of the College, the Cistern Yard was the site of some Revolutionary War barracks, which in 1790 started hosting classes.
This house, with its tall Ionic columns, on Murray Boulevard is well known for the pigs guarding the bottom of the stairs, as it has (well, used to have) a connection to the Piggly Wiggly supermarkets. If you time it right, you might find them dressed in various costumes — as they usually dress for the holidays.