1 East Battery was built around 1858 by Louis DeSaussure, a wealthy businessman of French Huguenot ancestry. Three stories high and built of brick covered with stucco, this house had an eye view of the Civil War. Approximately two years after the house was completed, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union, and for the next several years, the occupants of 1 East Battery lived with the constant bombardment from the Union ships that made up the blockade behind Fort Sumter.
64 South Battery was built in 1772 by a wealthy shipping magnate, William Gibbes. A wonderful example of a Charleston double house (two rooms wide and two rooms deep) in the Georgian architectural style, 64 South Battery had a pristine view of the Ashley River. Today that view is gone, and it is difficult to imagine the original view with the landfill and houses that now stand in front of 64 South Battery.
Written by John LaVerne on behalf of Bulldog Tours
The historical backdrop of Charleston, SC is one of the longest and most differing of any group in the United States, spreading over many years. It was founded in 1670 and, although the city has had its low points, it is still thriving today and is currently one of the top tourist destinations in the US.
Charleston was the leading city in the South from the time it was founded up to the Civil War. The city has survived fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding and war. There are several buildings that were important during these events, one of which is The Old Exchange Building, which has been standing since 1767. The Old Exchange is home to a dungeon that was used to hold prisoners of war during the British siege in the Revolutionary War, and later housed pirates such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. When you factor in the age of the city and the number of people who died either from war or natural disaster, it's no wonder that Charleston is considered one of the most haunted cities in the US. The best part about this haunted history is that Bulldog Tours specializes in Charleston Ghost Tours and will take you to visit these places... if you dare.
Set back from the stret on a huge lot, 138 Wentworth Street quietly stands in grandeur, bright white against the green lawn. Designed by architect Russell Warren of Rhode Island and completed in 1838, this Greek Revival mansion was built for Edwin Kerrison, a dry goods merchant.
The four fluted columns on the portico are each topped with a variation of the Corinthian capital known as the "Tower of the Winds" capital...
The recently passed holidays are generally filled with religious observances, celebrations, traditions, family, good friends, shopping, and gift-giving and -receiving. With the people we love most, we make memories that can carry us through the difficulties in life. We put deposits in our personal emotional bank so that we can withdraw them when life gets tough. Unfortunately, we also put more deposits of excessive food and drink into our bodies.
These deposits may not be particularly good ones or ones that look particularly good on us ... we need to start making withdrawals by looking at adjusting our choices and lifestyle. We said to ourselves: "Well, it's the holidays -- I'll get back on track afterwards." No flaw in that concept, right? Ha!
The phrase "you are what you eat" begins to flash before your eyes. You are not seeing the proverbial "visions of sugarplums" dancing in your head that you heard about as a child. The more you overeat and drink, the more you feel your body letting you know it is on overload. Too much sugar coupled with less sleep, more stress, and the opportunity to overdo things can be very bad.
Here are some simple and effective Holiday Health Hacks with big benefits!
4 South Battery was built in 1895 by Andrew Simmonds for his young wife, a New Orleans debutante who was given eight names at birth (but everyone just called her Daisy). Andrew, the president of First National Bank in Charleston, constructed this South Battery mansion on the site of an earlier house. As you can see from the photograph, we are not talking an "intimate little cottage."
You could explore Charleston on your own... or you can see the best the city has to offer with Bulldog Tours history, culinary, and ghost tours. You will love it!
Through the month of December, the Mount Pleasant Historical Commission is highlighting historical attractions and museums within the town. The USS Yorktown currently houses the Medal of Honor Museum. However, efforts are underway to construct the National Medal of Honor Museum on a site within Patriots Point (architect's rendering above). The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, a 501(c)(3) educational institution, has been established to design, fund, build and maintain the National Medal of Honor Museum and Education Center, with funding largely through private sector donations.
16 Meeting Street is one of the grandest Victorian mansions in Charleston and was built in 1876 for approximately $200,000 by George Walton Williams, a successful merchant, wholesale grocer, blockade runner, and banker. The house became known as the Calhoun Mansion because one of the Williams' daughters married Patrick Calhoun, the grandson of John C. Calhoun, U.S. Senator, Vice President of the United States, and Secretary of State.
The Rodgers Mansion is right down the street and around the corner from the Mikell House that we visited last week. Built at a time when money was scarce in the south and most Charlestonians had embraced the "too poor to paint and too proud to whitewash" reality of life here, Francis Silas Rodgers gave Charleston one of its grandest homes.
Frank Rodgers was born in Charleston in 1842 and went into the cotton factoring business with his father. A factor was simply a broker or middleman; most cotton planters used cotton factors located in major ports like Charleston to sell their exports. Even after the Civil War, sea island cotton was a viable export in the South until the early part of the twentieth century when the boll weevil came along.
It's that time of year, folks. The mornings are brighter, and the evenings darker. But don't let those early evenings get you down! Now's a great time to take advantage of the lower angle of sunlight and play around with silhouettes.
To get the best result with this technique, go out on a clear day at a time when the sun is not directly above you.
