Archive: Jan 2014

After the occupation of Ft. Sumter in Charleston harbor by Confederate troops in early 1861, the U.S. was focused on regaining control of our harbor in a slow, methodical campaign which would last until the end of the war. After an attack by Union ironclad ships in 1863 failed to gain control of Ft. Sumter,…

At the intersection of Meeting and South Battery Streets, on the edge of White Point Gardens, sits 2 Meeting Street, an outstanding Queen Anne style house was built in 1892 for Waring P. Carrington and his wife, Martha, a daughter of George W. Williams, a wealthy banker who lived at 16 Meeting St. Tradition says…

Charleston’s alleys are highly historical and enchanting places.  Much has been written about Dueler’s (Philadelphia), Lodge, and Stoll’s Alleys.  I would like to comment on another, out of the way, passage known as St. Michael’s Alley which connects Meeting with Church Streets.  In about 150 yards there is as much history per square inch as any other place of comparable size (except 4 Corners of Law) in the city.  Apparently many “affairs of honor” were conducted in the Alley and upstairs in #2 was probably the scene of such a bloody conclusion of an argument among 2 gentlemen; one American and one French, over a lady. Passing along St. Michael’s Alley westward toward Meeting from Church, you encounter a Philip Simmons gate, the law office of James Petigru, staunch, outspoken Unionist.  Petigru’s law office was designed by E.B. White, completed in 1849, and restored in the early 1900s…