A local's eye view
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.
This tree is always a first bloomer in Charleston. It lives on South Battery on the grounds of a beautiful Colonial Revival House designed by Albert Simons. Simons contributed greatly to the fabric of Charleston — from being intimately involved in the creation of the first preservation ordinance of its kind in the United States, to being so involved with the arts that the Center for Arts at the College of Charleston bears his name.
The steeple of St. Michael’s Church is always a lovely sight. Despite its appearance here, unlike St. Philip’s Church’s steeple, it never served as a lighthouse to help guide ships into Charleston Harbor.
Being on the High Battery at any time of the day is great, but pre-dawn it is really special. The lit buildings are part of the Carolina Yacht Club, which dates back to 1883.
This little guy is perched on the wall at 83 Tradd Street — a house built in 1849 for Christopher Columbus Trumbo.
You can feel the history of Chalmers Street in the early morning light. The Pink House (on the left) is one of the oldest buildings in South Carolina — built sometime between 1694 and 1712. Not only is it painted pink, but it is made of pinkish Bermuda Stone… hence its name.
Early morning on East Bay Street — the flicker of the gas lights is mesmerizing. You can find this just a block below Rainbow Row, heading towards the Battery.
The John Rutledge House on Broad Street is now a wonderful inn. When it was built for the SC governor and signer of the US Constitution, it was only two stories tall. The third story was added in 1853 by a later owner.