A local's eye view
St. Philip’s Church steeple is perhaps the most photographed of all the steeples in the Holy City. During the day, its stuccoed exterior is constantly being passed by tour carriages, people going to and from work, and visitors and locals out for a stroll. At night, bathed in a soft light, it takes on a fuzzy and ethereal quality. Viewed here from the cobble-stoned Chalmers Street, framed by a Live Oak tree and a gas street light, it fairly screams “Charleston!”
The Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park is one of the favorite stops for Charleston locals and visitors alike. For centuries the pineapple has symbolized hospitality — which is perfect for Charleston, voted perennially the friendliest city in America.
With spectacular views of the harbor, the Pineapple Fountain area is a great one to sit, soak up some sun or just people watch. While the water can be a little chilly in the winter months, in the heat of the summer you can find children, dogs and many feet finding it a great spot to cool off.
The Ravenel (Cooper River) Bridge is a beautiful structure. Dominating the Lowcountry, it can be seen for miles in every direction. Harkening back to Charleston’s earliest days as an important trading port for the great sailing ships, the spans and cables of the bridge were designed to resemble the sails of those majestic ships.
With a special lane added for walkers, runners and bikers, it’s become a destination by itself, and not just an attractive way for moving cars between Charleston and Mt. Pleasant. It’s certainly the largest “hill” in the area and offers spectacular views of Charleston Harbor, the Charleston peninsula, the various surrounding islands and the Atlantic Ocean.
Many years ago I was walking down a street in Charleston with a very long time resident. When I mentioned I had never noticed a certain detail on a house before she said that there wasn’t a day that went by when she didn’t see something she had never noticed before. Depending on the time of day or direction you are walking, going by the same spot in Charleston can feel significantly different.
Having walked, biked or driven by this gate on Tradd Street many times before, I had never noticed the wonderful shadow cast by the beautiful ironwork. This time with the sun at the right angle, I was in the right spot and a little bit of magic occurred.
One of the delights in living in or visiting Charleston is the temperate climate. And going hand-in-hand with that is the ability to have flowers blooming all year-round. But, even with the flowers in all the flower boxes, there is something special when you see if the first trees start to blossom after a couple of months of the cooler weather. That time has now arrived!
This photo just screams “Charleston!” Azaleas in bloom, the steeple of St. Philip’s Church, gaslights… and it is taken from a cobblestone street. When strolling the streets of the city, amazing vistas can be had from a stunning number of places. Who knows what you will see around the next corner or behind the next house!
Widely considered to be the oldest building in Charleston and one of the oldest in South Carolina, the Pink House gets its name from the pinkish hue of the Bermuda Stone used in its construction (and not just the paint color!). Located on the cobble stoned Chalmers Street, its exact dates of construction are not known, but is believed to have been built between 1694 and 1712. Originally used as a tavern, its most recent incarnation was as an art gallery. One of its more unusual characteristics is that there is only one room on each of its three floors. If you really like it, it’s for sale!
One of the most photographed building in Charleston, St. Philip’s is the home to the oldest congregation in South Carolina. The original church was built in 1681, and ultimately replaced (after fires and other structures) by the current building which was built between 1835 and 1838. While the main building was designed by Joseph Hyde, the famed steeple was designed by renowned architect E.B. White and added about 10 years later. Fittingly, St. Philip’s is located on Church Street.
One of the great spots in Charleston to watch the sun rise is Waterfront Park.
Perched on the edge of the peninsula, Waterfront Park provides panoramic views all across Charleston Harbor — out to Fort Sumter and beyond. Whether you are looking out at the water or through one of the beautiful fountains in the park, it’s a special place to be in the early morning hours.
While it sometimes may seem like it, not all days in Charleston are filled with sun. When the fog rolls in, it adds a different layer of beauty to the city. Noises are muffled and the sound of the fog horns from the water traffic travel across the city with a bit more urgency. At night the spooky spots become even spookier and the history of the city become palpable. During the day, as seen below along the High Battery, it adds a layer of mystery, as you wonder what beauty will emerge as you travel down the walks and streets.