The Charleston Historic District, alternatively known as Charleston Old and Historic District, is a

National Historic Landmark District National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, ce ...

Charleston, South Carolina Charleston is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina, the county seat of Charleston County, and the principal city in the Charleston–North Charleston metropolitan area. The city lies just south of the geographical midpoint o ...

. The district, which covers most of the historic peninsular heart of the city, contains an unparalleled collection of 18th and 19th-century architecture, including many distinctive Charleston "single houses". It was declared a

National Historic Landmark A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places listed ...

in 1960. As noted by the New York Preservation Archive Project, the Charleston Old and Historic District's creation in 1931 established "the first

historic district A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries or jurisdictions, historic districts receive legal protection from c ...

protected by local legislation in the United States and inspired legal protection of historic sites in New York City." It is legally set up in the city's regulations. According to Charleston's interactive zoning map, the "Old District" runs south from east-west Fishburne and Line streets. The National Historic Landmark-designated district is smaller, running south from Bee Street.

Description and history

The city of Charleston was founded in 1670, with its main historic colonial heart laid out in 1680 on the peninsula at the confluence of the

Ashley Ashley is a place name derived from the Old English words '' æsc'' (“ash”) and '' lēah'' (“meadow”). It may refer to: People and fictional characters * Ashley (given name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name ...

and

Cooper Cooper, Cooper's, Coopers and similar may refer to: * Cooper (profession), a maker of wooden casks and other staved vessels Arts and entertainment * Cooper (producers), alias of Dutch producers Klubbheads * Cooper (video game character), in ...

Rivers. Since that time, the city has been a major commercial and trade center on the southeastern seaboard of North America. Its architecture reflects numerous significant periods of development, with high-quality examples of different architectural styles resulting from the city's continued importance through more than 300 years of history. Significant among these are the many Charleston "single houses", which are typically a single room in depth, and oriented with the short access toward the street, with the entrance area on a long side. These types of houses are built using all types of building materials, including wood, brick, and stucco. In

Ansonborough Ansonborough is a neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1726, Captain George Anson acquired a 64-acre tract from Thomas Gadsden. Anson's lands were divided into smaller parcels for development, and several streets were named either for his ...

, there are blocks of fine Greek Revival houses, built in the wake of an 1838 fire. Broad Street, a major east–west thoroughfare since the early days, is home to a fine collection of Federal period houses, many of which have been converted to commercial uses. It is also where a number of important early civic and institutional buildings are located, including the 1752 St. Michael's Episcopal Church, the 1767

Exchange Exchange may refer to: Physics *Gas exchange is the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. Places United States * Exchange, Indiana, an unincorporated community * ...

, and the 1792

Charleston County Courthouse Charleston County Courthouse (1790–92) is a Neoclassical building in Charleston, South Carolina, designed by Irish people, Irish architect James Hoban. It was a likely model for Hoban's most famous building, the U.S. White House, and both buildi ...

. The city of Charleston legislatively established the "Old and Historic District" as a local historic district. In 1960, a portion of this district was designated a

for its architectural significance. When initially listed in the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1966, the district was defined as "An area roughly bounded by Broad, Bay, S. Battery and Ashley and an area along Church bounded by Cumberland and Chalmers". Significant boundary enlargements of the National Register district in 1970 and 1978 have resulted in it now coinciding with the locally legislated district, extending in parts as far north as Calhoun Street. The 1978 version was defined as incorporating "most of area S of Bee, Morris, and Mary Sts. to Waterfront." The district was enlarged to add individual buildings in 1984, 1985 and 1986. NARA version of "Charleston Historic District" is very different, is missing core documents. Includes maps of 1931 designated (portion which became NHL), of later addition to NHL, and of 1960 designated which was NRHP-listed. Includes correspondence, photos, more. 347 pages

Images

File:Charleston style house in historic district.JPG, Charleston is home to "Charleston Single" homes in which you walk in the front door to a porch. File:East Battery Street Charleston Aug2010.jpg, East Battery Street File:King Street in Historic Downtown Charleston.jpg, King Street File:Meeting Street Inn front view.jpg,

Meeting Street Inn The Meeting Street Inn, is in the Charleston Historic District at 174 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. The building is unusual in its history that dates to 1837 when it was occupied by the Charleston Theatre. In 1874, busine ...

, 174 Meeting Street

References

External links

Charleston Historic District, Charleston County (Charleston)
at South Carolina Department of Archives and History

{{National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina National Historic Landmarks in South Carolina Neighborhoods in Charleston, South Carolina National Register of Historic Places in Charleston, South Carolina Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina

Description and history

Images

See also

References

External links