Charleston

[AndyHall]

Scholes Charleston City Directory of 1882 gives the Charleston Hotel as being on the east side of Meeting St., between Pinckney and Hayne. That's precise, and the site of the present-day Bank of America.

 

[AndyHall]

maybe if I am in my period garments and pay in Confederate scrip?

Arthur Femantle stayed there in June 1863 on his way to meet up with Lee's Army of Northern virginia. He noted that "the fare is good" and the rooms were $8/day.

 

[kealbo54]

Thanks Andy.At the very least I'll go into the Dunkin Doughnuts and have an ice coffee in honor of my brother.That was quick and efficient detective work.A bonus that Fremantle stayed there.It is possible that Vizetelly was there at the time,but unlikely,as he waent west for a bit to cover the Vicksburg thing,and missed Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Unfortunately some of the best stuff, like Sumter and Moultrie, are part of the national park system and are closed because of the shutdown.

 

[kealbo54]

Oddly enough,thats the sorta places I have fun looking at from a distance.I want to see Sumter,but from the tip of Morris Island is fine with me.I am weird that way.Happy to go to strange related spots.

 

[Carronade]

Vizetelly writes a neat story about the first bombarding from Swamp Angel,and how he and a friend were betting on where the next shot would land.He did at least one sketch of Charleston streets while the shellings were on.

Funny, I was just wondering about that recently; how much do we know about where the shells landed or what damage they did? I imagine it was a random bombardment; in those days they'd be doing well to set the gun at the right angle to hit the city!

Anyone know where shell #36 landed, the one which blew up the gun?

 

[kealbo54]

Seems I read that the first shot was sighted off a church steeple in the city.Not sure they much cared where they landed,just that they hit something.BTW,Is the swamp angel site still accessable? I got a "Swamp Angel Ct" on James Island from google.Not sure I want to trudge around out in the marshes but I have been known to do sillier things in search of CW sites.

 

[AndyHall]

LoC was down the other night, but it seems to be up for now. Images of the Charleston Hotel:

 

[AndyHall]

 

[kealbo54]

Thanks Andy! Great stuff,and it looks as if it survived the war intact. Matter of fact it appears as though with a lot of renovation and up-dating,it may still be the same building.Not my bank,but the dunkin doughnuts will get some of my business,at least.

 

[AndyHall]

Survived until 1958 (top photo) at least.

 

[kealbo54]

thought that looked like the 50's or 60's.I dunno without better records,but it looks like it may still be the original structure.Another thing I dont know,but assume,is that Charleston may have some pretty stringent codes and permits,being as ond and historical town that it is.I will certainly do my best to find out next month.

 

[kealbo54]

the start of the Charleston section of my portfolio

 

[kealbo54]

After further research,sad to say,the Charleston Hotel went the way of the wrecking ball in 1960.The modern building(BoA) seems to have been built to at least similar specs and appearance,though.

 

[gary]

There are still some historical buildings still standing. The Manigault house comes to mind as well as the marketplace building that is now a museum operated by the UDC. The Old Exchange is still open (during the American Revolution the patriots hid their black powder in there).

 

[nitrofd]

there is also a slave holding cell downton.if you take the civil war walking tour they will show you quite a few hidden historic place.the walking tour takes about 3hrs and i think it cost $10.00 a head..well worth it

 

[kealbo54]

Well,leaving mtomorrow for the Charleston trip.Pretty well armed with cool info and plans to see some neat stuff.Weather looks like its gonna be really nice.One more Question,though.If anyone can help(Andy)hehe.I have been to Appomattox twice,and I vowed to go at least once where the whole party started.No,not Sumter,but to Ft Johnson,and according to Google there are all kinds of science labs on that site,now.Anyone know how restricted that area is?

 

[kealbo54]

Ok,so I did my own research,this time.The point of land where Ft Johnson once stood is in the hands of the UofSC,and dedicated mostly to marine research.I spoke to the asst administrator there on the phone,and was kindly told I was welcome on that campus site between 9 and 5 during the week when the gates were open
Onece the gates were closed,one needed an ID card to open them.Plan on going some time friday so I should get out there with no problem

 

[kealbo54]

One mission accomplished.Standing outside the BoA that is currently on the site of the Charleston Hotel.Charleston was all that I hoped it would be and more.Iam the tiny speck of black n white leaning against the tree,hehe