The layers of Charleston are fascinating. This wall is the side of Queen Street Grocery, which dates back to 1922. It’s one of the oldest corner stores in Charleston, and they make great crepes (Bill Murray has one named after him)… among other things. The building itself was built in 1869 and this wall is on the Logan Street side.

The Citadel Square Baptist Church on Meeting Street opened in 1854. It was originally going to be named the “Fourth Baptist Church,” as it would be the fourth Baptist church in Charleston. But, one of the three already existing churches closed, so they picked the current name.

This is the Robert Pringle House on Tradd Street, built in 1774. One of Charleston’s leading merchants, Pringle had previously built a couple of other houses on Tradd. He led a busy life, including in 1747 when he was on his way to England, he was captured by a Spanish privateer and imprisoned for a bit in St. Augustine, Florida.

The Governor’s House Inn on Broad Street has quite a history. Built in 1760, it is best know for being the home of  Edward Rutledge, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. But, Rutledge was not the original owner of the house. It was owned by James Laurens, whose brother Henry (who served as the second President of the Continental Congress, among other things) holds the distinction for being the only American imprisoned in the Tower of London during the American Revolution. He was only released when a trade for Lord General Cornwallis was negotiated after his defeat at the Battle of Yorktown. Laurens son, John, currently performs as a supporting character in the musical, Hamilton.