A local's eye view
A beautiful view along State Street. The house on the left, built as a residence c. 1816. As this neighborhood near the wharves declined by the turn of the 20th century, it was used as a warehouse. It was restored as a residential house in 1950.
These cool entryways can be found on Society Street, near the beautiful Harris Teeter supermarket on East Bay— which occupies a former downtown train station.
A lush, color coordinated, scene along the Low Battery. Legend has it that during the Civil War oleander, the flowering plants shown here, was used to brew poisonous tea which was then served to Union soldiers — and drinking it could be fatal.
The Mills House Hotel on Meeting Street is a distinctive beautiful pink building, with wonderful details. Among its notable guests is President Teddy Roosevelt, who stayed there in 1902.
The American and South Carolina flags proudly displayed over the iconic Sword Gate.
This incredible wall is actually the side of a 1783 house that fronts Church Street. The wall helps form the entrance to Stolls Alley — which is named after a local blacksmith, Justinus Stoll.
Philadelphia Alley is perhaps the most famous of Charleston’s cool alleys. It has had a number of names over the years, but was named for the city of Philadelphia in 1811 after it had sent generous financial aid to help Charleston recover after a large fire in 1810.
This garden belongs to the Simmons-Edwards House on Legare Street, more commonly referred to as the Pineapple Gates House. The stone pineapples are a symbol for “welcome.”
First Baptist Church was designed by the famed architect Robert Mills. Mills is perhaps best known for designing the Washington Monument, honoring the United States’ first president.
The gate in front of this handsome Charleston house was designed by Philip Simmons, the legendary Charleston blacksmith. What an amazing, talented and wonderful man.