• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Charleston County Courthouse

SC PICTURE PROJECT 4 Comments

SC Picture Project / Charleston County / Charleston County Courthouse

The Charleston County Courthouse, located at 84 Broad Street in downtown Charleston, is arguably one of the most important buildings in our state. The first building to sit here was constructed in 1753 and was used as the capitol building for the colony of South Carolina. When Columbia became the state capital in 1786, the building became the courthouse for the Charleston area. Following a 1788 fire that destroyed much of the original building, it was rebuilt in 1792.

Charleston Courthouse

John Diskes of Summerville, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The courthouse comprises one-quarter of Charleston’s famous “Four Corners of Law,” located at the intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets. The other three corners are occupied by Charleston City Hall, the US Post Office and Federal Courthouse building, and St Michael’s Church. Together, these buildings represent municipal law, state law (counties are creatures of the state), federal law, and ecclesiastical law.

Charleston County Courthouse

Stephen Brenton of Ladson, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Hurricane Hugo devastated many buildings in Charleston when it struck in 1989, especially the courthouse. The Historic Charleston Foundation worked with County leaders to have the building restored to its 18th century appearance.

Charleston County Courthouse SC

Stephen Brenton of Ladson, 2011 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The decision to repair the courthouse instead of building a new courthouse elsewhere was a wise one, and the Historic Charleston Foundation made a compelling case to County officials for its restoration. The Foundation presented examples of other “cities whose downtown centers have fallen into economic ruin because they failed to recognize that their vitality relied on central shared spaces where the common bonds of law, culture and community link citizens to one another.”

The courthouse’s continued presence downtown is critical to maintaining Charleston’s character and economic well being. Broad Street is the heart of downtown’s business district and an important buffer zone between the lively tourist-oriented Market area and the residential areas south of Broad Street. Had the courthouse been moved, the buildings along Broad Street most likely would have become part of the tourism sector and threatened the quiet charm of the residential areas.

The Charleston County Courthouse is listed in the National Register as part of the National RegisterCharleston Historic District:

(Charleston Old and Historic District) Charleston played an important role in Colonial, Revolutionary, antebellum and Civil War America. The city was a major Colonial seaport, an active participant in the Revolution, a seat of rice and cotton culture and a leader of secession. Today much of the nation’s great social and architectural history can be visibly appreciated because of the great concentration of period buildings that still line the city streets. The historic district contains primarily residential buildings in addition to commercial, ecclesiastical, and government-related buildings. Several historic neighborhoods are included because of their concentrations of historically and architecturally valuable buildings. These neighborhoods possess the unique visual appeal of old Charleston, a picturesqueness created by the close proximity of buildings, in a wide variety of architectural styles. There is general harmony in terms of height, scale, proportion, materials, textures, colors, and characteristic forms, such as the side piazzas.

All of the properties contribute to an expanded period of significance dating from 1700 to 1941. The great concentration of 18th and 19th century buildings give the district a flavor of an earlier America. The district contains many buildings of national historic and/or architectural significance. Built of brick, stucco, or clapboard, many of these properties are Charleston “single houses,” one room wide, with gable end to the street and tiered piazzas. Others are plantation style houses. Architectural styles include Georgian, Regency, Federal, Adamesque, Classical Revival, Greek Revival, Italianate, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne, among others. The district also contains many outbuildings (stables, carriage houses, kitchen buildings), a majority of which have been altered extensively to accommodate modern needs.

Plan Your Trip: Charleston County Courthouse

Where is Charleston County Courthouse located?
Address: 84 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401
GPS Coordinates: 32.776560,-79.931293
What else should I see?
United States Post Office 0 mile
Charleston City Hall 0 mile
Hibernian Hall 0.1 mile
St. Michael's Church 0.1 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Charleston Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Courthouses
    Charleston County Courthouse Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Charleston City HallCharleston City Hall US Post Office CharlestonUnited States Post Office Confederate HomeConfederate Home James Nicholson HouseAshley Hall St. Mary's CharlestonSt. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trey says

      August 26, 2013 at 10:23 AM

      This is not only once of the most important buildings in the state, but also the country – it is the prototype for The White House.

      Reply
    2. Rebecca says

      August 23, 2013 at 8:25 AM

      The year 1753 was in the 18th century.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        August 26, 2013 at 8:41 AM

        Thank you for your observation! Visitors like you help keep the South Carolina Picture Project on its toes.

        Reply
    3. Trey says

      August 20, 2013 at 6:08 PM

      The Charleston Courthouse was designed by the famous architect James Hoban of Ireland and Charleston who later designed The White House.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved