Historic Charleston

Yesterday, we walked around historic Charleston.  It was a beautiful day, and fairly warm. We started with a tour from a fellow named Michael Trouche, a 7th generation Charlestonian.  Best money I've spent in a long time.  Charleston is one of the best preserved, if not the best preserved, city in the US.  The history spans the colonial period, the revolutionary war, the civil war, and reconstruction.  The historical area is incredible, and well worth the time to walk around the streets.  Just remember to wear good walking shoes!  Here is a selection of pictures, in no particular order.

 The Mills House Hotel. The only original part is the balcony on the second floor.  The rest of the hotel is an exact replica of the original.  Robert E. Lee stayed here at one point.

 

 

 St. Michael's Church and the US Post Office.  The church is one of the oldest in historic Charleston.  The post office dates from the late 1800s.

 

 Architectural detail from the Charleston City Hall.

 

 Typical houses in the historic district.

 

 Houses along Rainbow Row.  Called that because of the brightly coloured houses.

 

 An early form of GPS?  Charleston also has a history of pirates, who happily stayed off shore and raided the ships leaving port. Knowing latitude and longtitude was important.  This is actually marked in a tiny laneway between two streets.

 

 A Charleston single.  The street door actually the door to the verandah that runs the length of the house.  The actual door to the house is in the middle of the verandah.

 Some of the sweetgrass baskets for sale on the street.  The designs are descended from those made by African slaves brought into Charleston.