Glimpses of Charleston

A local's eye view

The Wall

Charleston is one of the few cities in North America to ever have been a walled city. In the early 1700's, the wall protected the residents from everything from pirates to the Spaniards and French. While the wall has been mapped, there are only a few spots where you can actually see its remnants. The brick line here, across the cobbles of North Adgers Wharf, represents where the wall crossed at that point -- and if you dig down you will find it (but do not do that without permission and proper archaeological processes!)

Charleston is one of the few cities in North America to ever have been a walled city. In the early 1700’s, the wall protected the residents from everything from pirates to the Spaniards and French. While the wall has been mapped, there are only a few spots where you can actually see its remnants. The brick line here, across the cobbles of North Adgers Wharf, represents where the wall crossed at that point — and if you dig down you will find it (but do not do that without permission and proper archaeological processes!)

Fire!

This beautiful gate, walk and door can be found in an impressive house on Broad Street. The house, built c. 1870, replaced an earlier one owned by the same man which burned down in the Great Fire of 1861 (which claimed over 575 other houses and more).

This beautiful gate, walk and fire-red door can be found in an impressive house on Broad Street. The house, built c. 1870, replaced an earlier one owned by the same man which burned down in the Great Fire of 1861 (which claimed over 575 other houses and more).

The Bell Tolls

During the Civil War, the bells in the towers of First Scots Presbyterian Church were donated to the military effort. It was not until 1999 that a new bell was installed in the north tower, seen here. (It's actually a bell made in 1814, but new to First Scots.) The south tower still does not have bells, as it is not structurally sound enough (no pun intended) to bear their weight.

During the Civil War, the bells in the towers of First Scots Presbyterian Church were donated to the military effort. It was not until 1999 that a new bell was installed in the north tower, seen here. (It’s actually a bell made in 1814, but new to First Scots.) The south tower still does not have bells, as it is not structurally sound enough (no pun intended) to bear their weight.

A Room That Used To Have A View

The Parker-Drayton House on Gibbes Street was built in about 1806 and had a water view for about 100 years. In the early 1900's land was reclaimed from the Ashley River and its marshes to form the current Charleston peninsula -- placing two blocks of land and houses between Gibbes Street and the Low Battery. While the house has beautiful gardens and Gibbes is a great street, the water view is no more.

The Parker-Drayton House on Gibbes Street was built in about 1806 and had a water view for about 100 years. In the early 1900’s land was reclaimed from the Ashley River and its marshes to form the current Charleston peninsula — placing two blocks of land and houses between Gibbes Street and the Low Battery. While the house has beautiful gardens and Gibbes is a great street, the water view is no more.

Pretty In Pink

This pretty house on Tradd Street was built in 1740... pre-revolutionary beauty. 

This pretty house on Tradd Street was built in 1740… pre-revolutionary beauty.

Ivy and Quoins

The toothy trim on this Queen Street house is called quoins.  Quoins are found on many Charleston masonry and stucco buildings. The quoins usually serve two purposes — to strengthen the construction and for decoration. Here they are complemented by some very well trained ivy.

The toothy trim on this Queen Street house is called quoins.  Quoins are found on many Charleston masonry and stucco buildings. The quoins usually serve two purposes — to strengthen the construction and for decoration. Here they are complemented by some very well trained ivy.

Nightmare on Limehouse Street

This pretty 1870 house is looking ready for Halloween. Located on Limehouse Street, it is just up from the remains of the old seawall. On the other side of the wall  the houses were built on reclaimed land in the early 1900's.

This pretty 1870 house is looking ready for Halloween. Located on Limehouse Street, it is just up from the remains of the old seawall. On the other side of the wall  the houses were built on reclaimed land in the early 1900’s.

Haint Blue

The blue color on the ceiling of this Charleston porch is intended to ward off evil spirits known as "haints."  It apparently is ineffective against sparkly skeletons or skulls.

The blue color on the ceiling of this Charleston porch is intended to ward off evil spirits known as “haints.”  Apparently, it is ineffective against sparkly skeletons or skulls.