Wandering Charleston

Explore a southern city known for its unique houses, cobblestone streets and Fort Sumter (which I didn’t visit).

Charleston lies about midway along the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. The historic district is located on an peninsula between two large rivers. In the past, it was a port city that gained its wealth through the cotton and slave trades. It’s known today for its cobblestone streets and unique houses.

Charleston was originally founded across the Ashley River, then known as Charles Towne. Founded in 1670, Charles Towne was a planned city from the start. However, it turned out that it wasn’t in a good location. The town moved to its present location around 1680. Unfortunately, not much remains of that era of Charleston. There was a few fires, hurricanes and even earthquakes. While buildings from the 18th century still remain, most are from the 19th century. Still charming, though.

Even though different architectural styles while constructing these homes, they are all still fairly similar to each other. They follow a few different designs, but with different flourishes, like the home below.

John Rutledge House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

This pre-Revolutionary War home belonged to John Rutledge, a signer of the US Constitution and former Governor of South Carolina. The gorgeous wrought iron came later.

I had planned to start at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. However, it took me awhile to get there because I kept getting distracted. The photo above as an example of a distraction.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Finally made it to the cathedral. A fine Gothic edifice that opened to the public in 1907.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The stained glass windows are fantastic.

Charleston Single House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

A traditional Charleston Single House with a large yard. Houses ran perpendicular to the road, with a yard/garden/driveway on the side and yard/out buildings/garages behind the house. Piazzas (local name for the porches) were on the side of the house facing the yard. The main door is actually on the piazza, but a false front door faced the street.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

There was some variation in the style. The house on the left is probably a Charleston Double House, with a Single House style piazzas. The piazzas are strangely on the front of that middle one. I actually found the most of the odd ones around the cathedral.

piazza. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

A close up on one of those piazzas. This one doesn’t have a front door on the porch. Charleston style was not a unified style.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

More of a commercial district here.

St. Michael's Church. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Saint Michael’s Church, built in the 1760s. This church would not look out of place in New England.

St. Michael's Church. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Very New England-esque. George Washington sat in one of those pews.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Don’t have room for piazzas on the side of your house? Just build them over the sidewalk.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Single House on a corner. Guess that’s the only place to put a piazza.

Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

One of the homes I toured was the Nathaniel Russell House, building 1808. It’s a bit different from many of the other homes in Charleston.

Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Not a standard piazza.

Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The grounds now feature a formal English garden.

Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The house is famous for this spiral staircase because it looks like it’s floating in mid air.

Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

From underneath.

Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The formal dining room.

Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Probably a formal parlor/sitting room.

Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The most decorated room in the house is this withdrawing room, where women retreated to after dinner with their guests.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Two single houses next to each other.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

This house on a corner has a very fancy garden.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

This one is quite a bit different, but I like the details.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

This area towards the bottom of the peninsula has piazzas facing the road. Most likely for the ocean views and breezes.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Some very large houses down here.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

A very fancy piazza.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

A few of the houses are very brightly colored.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Charleston piazzas and a wrought iron balcony that is commonly found on the Gulf Coast.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

A little cobblestone alley missing most of its cobblestones.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

I used it as a short cut. It turned into a wider alley with carriage houses/turned garages on it. This one was adorable.

Rainbow Row. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Charleston’s famous Rainbow Row. Thirteen houses gained their fame by their owners painting them bold colors to liven up the neighborhood in the 1930s and 40s.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Down the street from the Rainbow Row, is this mysterious building. No idea what it was originally used for.

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. I didn’t go inside.

Market Hall. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Market Hall at the Charleston City Market. There is not enough street food there.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

A row of simpler Single Houses.

Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Giant mansion.

The other house museum I visited was the Aiken-Rhett Housebuilt in 1820. The Aiken family lived in the home for 142 years (1975). It was donated to the Charleston Museum and never lived in again. It’s one of the most original, intact Charleston houses. It wasn’t fully modernized.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The house is raised more than many other Charleston Houses. Honestly, reminds me of Savannah.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The kitchen was located behind the main house in a separate building. It still has its original gas lights.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The backyard of the house had two buildings which served many functions including a kitchen, laundry, carriage house and quarters for enslaved people.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Stables. As you can see, the house was not restored but preserved as is as much as possible.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The main entrance to the house is pretty grand. The walls were painted to look like marble.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Some of the original furniture still remains. They also use the house as a gallery for local artists. Visiting in the summer would be a bit uncomfortable in the summer. There is no air conditioning.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

Gorgeous.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

More original gas lights.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The exterior of the house has been repainted to preserve the house. You can see a bit of the non-restored walls between the windows.

Aiken-Rhett House. Charleston, South CarolinaJana Irving

The only air conditioned spot in the house is the gallery, built to show the art of a previous owner.

 

Charleston is a great city to just walk around in. I really enjoyed my visit. I plan to return because I still need to make it out to Fort Sumter.

 

Check out my next update where I explore the old cemeteries of Charleston!

or

Check out other places I’ve wandered!

About Wandering Jana

Traveling the world to discover the past.
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