A local's eye view
While the view would have changed over the years, you would have been able to look out this window in the historic Charleston County Courthouse way back in 1753, when the building was the provincial capitol for the colony of South Carolina. It is also one of the famous Four Corners of Law, at the intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets.
The glorious steeple of St. Michael’s Church, located at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets, is one of the signature buildings of the Charleston skyline and is the oldest church building in Charleston. It also, famously, makes up one of Charleston’s Four Corners of Law.
These magnificent gates and columns, referred to as “The Pineapple Gates,” are so eye-catching that the entire house — formally known as the Simmons-Edwards House — is referred to as the “Pineapple Gates House.” Located on Legare Street, the pineapples are actually carved Italian pinecones.
With so many Charleston houses built right up the the sidewalk edge, window boxes often act as a decorative front yard. There are many wonderful examples, including this very green pair on Legare Street.
Charleston takes on a magical quality as the sun starts its downward arc. Here the south side of Broad Street, between Church and Meeting Streets, glows in the late afternoon light.
One of the shortest streets in Charleston, complete with a 90 degree turn, Zig Zag Alley is tucked in near the High Battery. It’s a beautiful little street, with one of the most often stolen street signs.
This incredible garden is one of Glimpses’ favorites. The house fronts Tradd Street, but from the side off of Legare Street, there is a wonderful view of this beautiful space.
This spectacular Italianate mansion on lower King Street hosted an event when Barack Obama first ran for president. After he won, he referenced it in his election night acceptance speech (“From the porches of Charleston…”). It also sold, at the time, for the highest price ever for a house on Charleston peninsula.
Church Street is one of the best streets to stroll along in Charleston. Not only are the houses beautiful, below Water Street it is paved with beautiful brick.
Price’s Alley is one of the very cool Charleston alleys. On the other side of the brick wall is the spectacular Nathaniel Russell House, which is open to the public.