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.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana Finally made it to the cathedral. A fine Gothic edifice that opened to the public in 1907.
Wandering Jana The stained glass windows are fantastic.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana More of a commercial district here.
Wandering Jana Saint Michael’s Church, built in the 1760s. This church would not look out of place in New England.
Wandering Jana Very New England-esque. George Washington sat in one of those pews.
Wandering Jana Don’t have room for piazzas on the side of your house? Just build them over the sidewalk.
Wandering Jana Single House on a corner. Guess that’s the only place to put a piazza.
Wandering Jana One of the homes I toured was the Nathaniel Russell House, built in 1808. It’s a bit different from many of the other homes in Charleston.
Wandering Jana Not a standard piazza.
Wandering Jana The grounds now feature a formal English garden.
Wandering Jana The house is famous for this spiral staircase because it looks like it’s floating in mid air.
Wandering Jana From underneath.
Wandering Jana The formal dining room.
Wandering Jana Probably a formal parlor/sitting room.
Wandering Jana The most decorated room in the house is this withdrawing room, where women retreated to after dinner with their guests.
Wandering Jana Two single houses next to each other.
Wandering Jana This house on a corner has a very fancy garden.
Wandering Jana This one is quite a bit different, but I like the details.
Wandering Jana This area towards the bottom of the peninsula has piazzas facing the road. Most likely for the ocean views and breezes.
Wandering Jana Some very large houses down here.
Wandering Jana A very fancy piazza.
Wandering Jana A few of the houses are very brightly colored.
Wandering Jana Charleston piazzas and a wrought iron balcony that is commonly found on the Gulf Coast.
Wandering Jana A little cobblestone alley missing most of its cobblestones.
Wandering Jana I used it as a short cut. It turned into a wider alley with carriage houses/turned garages on it. This one was adorable.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana Down the street from the Rainbow Row, is this mysterious building. No idea what it was originally used for.
Wandering Jana The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. I didn’t go inside.
Wandering Jana Market Hall at the Charleston City Market. There is not enough street food there.
Wandering Jana A row of simpler Single Houses.
Wandering Jana Giant mansion.
The other house museum I visited was the Aiken-Rhett House, built 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.
Wandering Jana The house is raised more than many other Charleston Houses. Honestly, reminds me of Savannah.
Wandering Jana The kitchen was located behind the main house in a separate building. It still has its original gas lights.
Wandering Jana The backyard of the house had two buildings which served many functions including a kitchen, laundry, carriage house and quarters for enslaved people.
Wandering Jana Stables. As you can see, the house was not restored but preserved as is as much as possible.
Wandering Jana The main entrance to the house is pretty grand. The walls were painted to look like marble.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana Gorgeous.
Wandering Jana More original gas lights.
Wandering Jana 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.
Wandering Jana 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!
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