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Charleston

Charleston History

   From its pastel-colored houses to its cobblestone streets, visiting Charleston is like stepping back in time. Although Charleston is a contemporary city, it's best-known for its historic sites, majestic plantations and old-world charm.
   The city was named for England's King Charles II in 1670. Originally called Charles Town, it took its present name in 1783. Most of the earliest settlers were British, but colonial Charleston was also home to a variety of ethnic groups who brought their foods and customs to the region. These residents named this area the "Low Country" due to its location amid the marshes, swamps and wetlands along the coast.
   Charleston has a history steeped in America's early war years. The city is home to Fort Moultrie, site of a critical defeat to the British during the Revolutionary War. Francis Marion, the famous Swamp Fox, led a guerrilla campaign in the Low Country during the war. And four signers of the Declaration of Independence called Charleston home.
   More famously, Charleston is home to Fort Sumter, site of the first shot in the U.S. Civil War. The city became the center for blockade running and was the site of the first submarine warfare in 1863. In 1865, Union troops took control of the city until the eventual defeat of the Confederacy. Federal forces remained in Charleston during the city's reconstruction, which was hampered by an earthquake in 1886.
   Before the Civil War, Charleston was known as a genteel port city, famed for its stately plantations shaded by mossy oaks. Many of these antebellum structures remain intact as tourist sites, along with dozens of historic homes.
   Modern Charleston has inherited a well-preserved historic district. It's been named the "best-mannered" city in America and is nicknamed "The Holy City" because of its abundance of churches. Visitors and residents alike will certainly feel welcome in this charming Low Country community.

Activities

   Historic Charleston is rich with culture, but it's also a great place to reconnect with nature. The city's scenic tree-lined streets provide a beautiful backdrop for walking, jogging, biking or just plain sightseeing.
   Those wishing to spend a day outdoors should visit Cypress Gardens, a swamp area featuring hawks and herons, blooming flowers, and trips on a classic Low Country "bateau" boat. White Point Garden, located along the Charleston Battery, is a peaceful park containing the original cannons used to defend Charleston during the Civil War.
   Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, was the first battle site of the Civil War. Shells may still be seen embedded in the fort's brick walls, which holds artifacts including an original cannon, flags and war photos. The harbor is also site of Patriots Point, home to the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown and other military ships, all of which have been designated national historic landmarks.
   For another step back in time, visit one of the area's stately plantations. Magnolia Plantation is a 17th-century estate that survived both the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Middleton Place, home to America's oldest landscaped gardens, features rare camellias, magnolias, azaleas and live oaks. And Charleston Tea Plantation is the only tea-producing farm in the United States.
   Many historic homes offer daily tours, and the biannual House and Garden Tours offer a peek inside some of the city's most fabulous residences. Popular historic homes include the Aiken-Rhett House; Calhoun Mansion; and the Palmer house, aka the Pink Palace.
   The upscale stores on King Street will provide hours of shopping for the fashion-conscious. Take a break to try some of South Carolina's Low Country cuisine -- particularly the tasty she-crab soup -- at a local restaurant. Or learn more about Low Country life at the Charleston Museum, the oldest museum in North America, which offers historical artifacts from the colonial days through the 21st century.
   Each spring, Charleston hosts Spoleto Festival U.S.A., a lengthy arts festival featuring film, dance, music and crafts. Other annual events include the Moja African-American Arts Festival; the Cooper River Bridge Run; and the Family Circle Cup, America's longest-running women's tennis tournament.

Charleston Fast Facts

Location: Charleston is located along Interstate 26 on a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper rivers. The juncture of these rivers forms its harbor, three miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
*Total area: 114.10 square miles (96.99 square miles land area; 17.11 square miles water area)
*Population: 96,650, the second largest city in South Carolina
*Housing units: 44,563
Average annual rainfall: 52 inches
Average temperatures: 82ºF in summer, 55ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   Charleston has 51 public schools, plus dozens of others in neighboring cities. There are also several private and parochial schools serving the community.
   Colleges and universities include:

• The College of Charleston, a state-supported liberal arts college and university
• Trident Technical College, a two-year technical and college-transfer program
• The Citadel, a military institution
• Johnson and Wales University, offering culinary arts programs
• The Medical University, offering graduate studies and health-related professions

Beaches

   Charleston itself has limited beach opportunities, but there are several excellent facilities within 30 miles of the city.
   Sullivan's Island is located 10 miles north of Charleston. The upscale residential community offers a wide, soft beach with a small-town feel. While you're there, be sure to see the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse, constructed in 1962 and the last lighthouse built by the U.S. government.
   A few miles farther north, you'll find the Isle of Palms and its six miles of white, sandy beaches. The barrier island, bordered by beaches and marsh creeks, offers fishing, swimming, boating, golf and other sporting activities.
   Folly Beach, about 12 miles south of Charleston, presents another side of the South Carolina coast. A popular entertainment venue in the 1930s -- George Gershwin composed "Porgy & Bess" here -- the area is now a beachcomber's retreat featuring quaint cottages, colorful bars and restaurants. The striped Morris Island Lighthouse, recently featured on a U.S. postage stamp, was the first lighthouse built in the southeastern United States.
   For a true step back in time, visit Kiawah Island, about 30 miles south of Charleston. Commercial development is virtually non-existent on the island, which is home to dolphins, sea turtles, alligators and the occasional bobcat. Visitors can bike, golf or play tennis, or hit the waters for boating, sailing and fishing. The island's Beachwalker County Park provides access to the beach, along with picnic tables, rest rooms and swimming areas. And don't miss the Angel Oak, the oldest living tree east of the Mississippi.
   No matter what beach you choose, be sure to check the tide charts before you head off. While there is usually plenty of sand showing at low tide, the same beach could be flooded with water during high tide, a mere six hours later!

Maps of Charleston

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