Glimpses of Charleston

A local's eye view

Short

The pretty streetscape can be found on one of the smallest streets in Charleston -- Short Street. Yes, really.

The pretty streetscape can be found on one of the smallest streets in Charleston — Short Street. Yes, really.

Embrace the Sky

The top of the facades along King Street on a beautiful Charleston day.

The top of the facades along King Street on a beautiful Charleston day.

Casting Call

This beautiful sun-dappled house on Church Street dates back to 1785. The cast ironwork was added in the 1820's. The difference between cast and wrought iron is that cast iron comes from the molten metal being poured into a mold, while wrought iron is shaped by hand (usually the hot metal is hammered into shape). 

This beautiful sun-dappled house on Church Street dates back to 1785. The cast ironwork was added in the 1820’s. The difference between cast and wrought iron is that cast iron comes from the molten metal being poured into a mold, which hardens into a repeatable form. Wrought iron is shaped by hand, with the hot metal being hammered into the desired form.

Two-Faced

This house is actually not schizophrenic, but connected individually owned row tenements. Built in about 1841 on land that was cleared on Wentworth Street after the great fire of 1838, originally there were seven connected buildings -- now six remain. 

This house is actually not schizophrenic, but connected individually owned row tenements. Built in about 1841 on land that was cleared on Wentworth Street after the great fire of 1838, originally there were seven connected buildings — now six remain.

West to East

This beautiful Charleston cut-through is the eastern end (Church Street side) of Longitude Lane.

This beautiful Charleston cut-through is the eastern end (Church Street side) of Longitude Lane.

Obstructed View

This beautiful house on Tradd Street was built between 1834-36. Before the marsh was filled in to extend the Charleston peninsula, this was waterfront property. During the Civil War, a torpedo boat (which looks a lot like a small submarine) became stranded and then abandoned there. It is believed that its remains are still under Tradd Street in front of this house! You can see a photo of it here. So cool.

This beautiful house on Tradd Street was built between 1834-36. Before the marsh was filled in to extend the Charleston peninsula, this was waterfront property. During the Civil War, a torpedo boat (which looks a lot like a small submarine) became stranded and then abandoned there. It is believed that its remains are still under Tradd Street in front of this house! You can see a photo of it here. So cool.

State Tree

The sabal palmetto tree is the state tree of South Carolina. It was selected as the state tree to celebrate the role it played in the defeat of the British at Fort Moultrie during the lead up to the American Revolution. The fort, which was being bombarded by the British fleet, was constructed of palmetto logs.  The tree's spongy wood actually absorbed the energy of the cannonballs and caused them to just bounce off -- allowing the Americans to eventually drive the British ships away and win the inspiring battle.

The sabal palmetto tree is the state tree of South Carolina. It was selected as the state tree to celebrate the role it played in the defeat of the British at Fort Moultrie during the lead up to the American Revolution. The fort, which was being bombarded by the British fleet, was constructed of palmetto logs.  The tree’s spongy wood actually absorbed the energy of the cannonballs and caused them to just bounce off — allowing the Americans to eventually drive the British ships away and win the inspiring battle.

Happy Hydrangea

This beautiful Charleston window box features a gorgeous hydrangea. One of the cool things about hydrangeas is that they will change color depending on the pH of the soil they are in. You can actually manipulate it to have the plant display different color flowers.

This beautiful Charleston window box features a gorgeous hydrangea. One of the cool things about hydrangeas is that they will change color depending on the pH of the soil they are in. You can actually manipulate it to have the plant display different color flowers.

Savage

This little house (about 1000 sq. ft.) was built in 1890. While it looks like it should be out in the country, it is actually in downtown Charleston on Savage Street.

This little house (about 1000 sq. ft.) was built in 1890. While it looks like it should be out in the country, it is actually in downtown Charleston on Savage Street.