Postcard of the Old Exchange Building. Back of postcard reads: "The Old Exchange Building, one of the most historic sites in Charleston, was used to confine pirates in its bastile in 1718. It was later used as military headquarters. During the Revolutionary War, the Provincial Congress was set up here as the first Independent Government in America. Later, in 1818, it was the Post Office."
Postcard of the Fireproof Building. Back of postcard reads: "The famous Fireproof Building, constructed of steel and stone in 1822 as the county records building, so named because it was America's first attempt at fireproof construction. It was designed by Robert Mills, who later designed the United States Treasury Building and WWashington Monument."
Postcard of the entrance of the Dock Street Theatre. Back of postcard reads: "Historic Dock Street Theatre was opened in February, 1736, and was the first building designed for theatrical use in America. In recent years the theatre has been restored and is now a leading factor in the 'reawakening of the arts of the South.'"
Postcard of the interior of the Old Powder Magazine. Back of postcard reads: "The Old Powder Magazine, built about 1705, is a relic of continental days. It is now owned by the South Carolina Society of Colonial Dames and used as their Chapter Room and Museum."
Postcard of the exterior of the Old Powder Magazine. Back of postcard reads: "The oldest building in Charleston. It was erected about 1703 and used as a powder magazine until 1780. It has since been owned by private persons, until the Colonial Dames' Society purchased it recently to use as their headquarters."
A postcard of the Parade Ground of Fort Moultrie. The back of the postcard reads, "The parade ground of Fort Moultrie, situated on Sullivan's Island was first called Fort Sullivan and later named after General Moultrie. It was originally built of palmetto logs and sand, and here Sergeant Jasper amidst shot and shell, jumped over parapets onto the beach, rescued the flag and put in place again."
A postcard of Fort Moultrie near the Charleston Harbor on Sullivan's Island. The back of the postcard reads, "This fort is built on the site of the palmetto log and sand bag fort which repulsed the British fleet on June 28, 1776."
Postcard of a post office branch in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "This building was completed in 1896, being an imposing structure of marble, situated at the corner of Meeting and Broad Streets opposite St. Michael's Church. Here the United States government takes charge of the Mail."
Postcard of the Charleston Post Office and the adjacent park square. Back of postcard reads: "New Post-Office and U.S. Court House showing the Postoffice Park was completed and occuped in 1896. The style of the Architecture is the Italian Renaissance. The whole building is finished in marble and mahogany."
Postcard of a post office branch in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "This building was completed in 1896, being an imposing structure of marble, situated at the corner of Meeting and Broad Streets opposite St. Michael's Church."
Postcard of the front of the Charleston Museum. Back of postcard reads: "The Charleston Museum was the first organized on the American Continent. It contains a large, well rounded collection of natural history specimens, gathered by curators and presented by friends of a period of several generations. It is noted for its work in co-operation with the educational forces of the community. The Museum is open to visitors."
Postcard of the front of the Charleston Museum. Back of postcard reads: "The Charleston Museum was the first organized on the American Continent. It contains a large, well rounded collection of natural history specimens, gathered by curators and presented by friends of a period of several generations. It is noted for its work in co-operation with the educational forces of the community. The Museum is open to visitors."
Postcard of Charleston's Old Market. Back of postcard reads: "Old City Market, located in the center of Market Street, was established between the years 1788 and 1804. Market Hall, which was built in 1841, now houses the Confederate Museum."
Postcard of the Charleston Orphan House. Back of postcard reads: "The Orphan House first built in U.S. is complete in every detail and is Charleston's grandest charitable work. Was opened in 1794 and enlarged and completed in 1855. In the belfry hangs one of the city alarm bells."
Postcard of the Custom House in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "Erection began in 1850 continuing until the Civil War arrested its progress; structure resumed and completed in 1880."
Postcard of the Old Post Office, also known as the Old Exchange Building. Back of postcard reads: "In 1680, on this site stood the guard post of the early colonists. In 1718, Stede Bonnet and other pirates were imprisoned on this site. In 1767, this building was erected as an exchange and custom house. Taxed tea was stored here and forcibly detained. It was here, in 1774, that the Provincial Congress was assembled, setting up the first independent government in America. In 1781, patriotic men and women of the Revolution were here incarcerated during the British occupation of Charleston. President George Washington was here, in 1791, entertained by his grateful countrymen."
Postcard of the Dock Street Theatre and St. Phillip's Church. Back of postcard reads: "Charleston, one of America's most Historic Cities, can lay claim to more 'firsts' than any other city in America. The first legitimate theatre in the United States was founded here when the play 'The Orphan' was presented on February 23, 1735."
Postcard of the front of the Charleston Museum. Back of postcard reads: "Oldest museum in the United States. Founded 1773. 'An educational institution operated for the people of South Carolina by the City and County of Charleston and by the contributions and memberships. Its collections include natural history and culture history material with special reference to South Carolina.'"
Postcard of the front of the Charleston Museum. Back of postcard reads: "This is the oldest museum in North America. Founded in 1773. Unexcelled collection of natural history groups and Low Country subects."
Postcard of a view of the Court House and City Hall on Broad Street. Back of postcard reads: "The city hall contains the most valuable collection of pantings in Charleston."
Postcard of a doorway in Court House Square in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "Court House Square is one of the oldest sections in Charleston. The old atmosphere is still preserved in this secluded section."
Postcard of Charleston's Old Market. Back of postcard reads: "This is a quaint structure extending for several blocks, established about 1800. The present building on Meeting Street, erected in 1841, contains a museum of Confederate relics."
Postcard of Charleston's Old Market. Back of postcard reads: "Low, shed-like structures, where not only provisions, but many other things may be purchased. A handsome hall at the head of the market is used as a relic room by the Charleston Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy."
Postcard of Charleston's Old Market. Back of postcard reads: "Old City Market constructed in 1788 and willed to the city in 1841. In the front upper hall is a Confederate Museum."
A postcard of the entrance of Fort Moultrie and the Grave of Osceola. Back of the postcard reads, "Osceola, a famous chief of the Seminole Indians, was born in Florida in 1803. His wife was seized as a slave in 1835, and he began a war which carried on until he was captured. He died in Fort Moultrie in 1837. Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, has figured extensively in history. During the Civil War the Fort was abandoned, when Charleston Harbor was evacuated in 1865."
A postcard of the entrance to Fort Moultrie. The back of the postcard reads, "Fort Moultrie successfully defended the Harbor against the British Fleet under Sir Peter Parker. Th[illegible] shows the old guns left from past [illegible]ave of Osceola, famed Indian chief, [illegible] the modern coast artillery head-q[uarters]."
Postcard of a small building and bench under an oak tree covered with Spanish Moss at Middleton Gardens near Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "Beneath the great moss draped arm of this huge live oak at Middleton Gardens is seen a pool of cypress black water, which during the season of bloom, reflects the myraid colors of Camellia and Azalea."
Postcard of the Magnolia Gardens in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "Magnolia Gardens is an old plantation home formerly owned by the Draytons (and still owned by a descendant, Mrs. C.N. Hastie) and is only about fifteen miles from Charleston. It is a wonderfuly beautiful spot, and is considered one of the show places of America."
Postcard of the old oak tree in the Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "Magnolia Cemetery was established about 1850 [?]. Oak trees thrive abundantly here; the height reached is from 40 [?] to 60 feet, while spreading branches cover 100 feet of space. The trunks of some of the oak trees are over 23 feet in diameter.
Postcard of the Tudor Mansion at Middleton Place Gardens near Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "Middleton Place on the Ashley River near Charleston, S.C. Famous as a fine example of English Landscape gardening and for its wonderful live Oaks and beautiful Camellias and Azaleas. The Estate, after the lapse of 200 years, still belongs to a descendant of the original grantee. Built 1741." The back also notes that it was "Hand-colored."
Postcard of the bridge and stream at Magnolia Gardens in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "Magnolia Gardens is an old plantation home formerly owned by the Draytons (and still owned by a descendant. Mrs. C. N. Hastie) and is only about fifteen miles from Charleston. It is a wonderfully beautiful spot, and is considered one of the show places of America."
Postcard of three people walking in the distance in the Magnolia Gardens in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "This is an old plantation home formerly owned by the Draytons (and still owned by his daugther, Mrs. Hastie) and is only about fifteen miles from Charleston. It is a wonderfully beautiful spot."
Postcard of the Pringle House in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads, "One of the landmarks of the city. Enclosed by a semi-circular brick wall about tweleve feet high and surmounted by iron spikes. Prior to the Revolution it was the home of Col. Miles Brewton, and during that war was occupied as headquarters by Lord Rawdon and Col. Nesbit Balfour, Commandant of Charleston." It also notes that it was "Made in Germany."
Postcard of the old oak tree in the Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard notes it was "Printed in Frankfort o/Main, Germany no. 1936"
Postcard of the bridge and stream at Magnolia Gardens in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "This is an old plantation home formerly owned by the Draytons (and still owned by his daughter, Mrs. Hastie) and is only about fifteen miles from Charleston. It is a wonderfully beautiful spot."
Postcard of a scene of plants and wildlife at Hampton Park in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "Hampton Park, one of the numerous parks within Charleston's city limits, offers this gorgeous sight to visitors. Also can be seen a glorious array of azalea blooms, wisteria, and a multitude of other flowers."
A postcard of Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor. The back of the postcard reads, "Without knowledge of which and its tragic annals no student of American history is well informed. Plans approved and construction ordered in 1828. Surrendered to the Confederates by Major Anderson at the beginning of the Civil War, 1861."
A postcard of the old gun positions on Fort Sumter. Back of the postcard reads, "Fort Sumter occupies a commanding position at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. From the guns on these old gun-mounts, the first shots of the Civil War were fired."
A postcard of Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor. The back of the postcard read, "Fort Sumter constructed 1828. A historic Fort known to all students for its surrender to the Confederates by Major Anderson at the beginning of the Civil War."
Postcard of the exterior of the Old Powder Magazine. Back of postcard reads: "The Old Powder Magazine, located at 23 Cumberland Street was said to have been built about 1703. It was used during the Revolutionary War as a storehouse for powder and in recent years it has been used as a museum."
Postcard of Charleston's Old Market. Back of postcard reads: "Although this was by no means the first market in the colony--it was first built between 1788 and 1804, and the present building in 1841, still there are few old cities that can boast of anything more interesting. In the days gone by, the head of the house, with a slave carrying the large market basket, went here to purchase the home supplies."
Postcard of the exterior of the Old Powder Magazine. Back of postcard reads: "Powder Magazine during Revolutionary War, Charleston, S.C. This building, a low one room structure, located on Colombus Street, stands as a memorial of Revolutionary fame. Here all the implements of warfare were stored."
Postcard shows four images of the public buildings located on all corners of the intersection of Meeting Street and Broad Street. Back of postcard reads: "Called by the late Robert Ripley as a 'Believe It or Not' Corner of Four Laws St. Michael's Church, 1752, Law of God. City Hall, second oldest in United States, built 1801, Law of the City. County Court House, erected in 1792 on the foundations of first South Carolina State House, Law of the State. United States Post Office, 1896, Law of the Country. Unique, four laws together at one intersection, as noted by Robert Ripley, a frequent visitor to Charleston, 'America's Most HIstoric City'."
Postcard of Charleston's City Hall. Back of postcard reads: "Located at N.E. corner Meeting and Broad Streets. Built in 1801 as United States Bank and exchanged in 1818 for old Post Office Building. Noted for its priceless collection of historic relics, busts and paintings, among the latter Trumbull's portrait of General George Washington."
Chamber of Commerce in Charleston, S.C. Back of postcard reads: "The oldest Chamber of Commerce in the United States. Founded in 1773. The building was erected in 1784. Used as a bank, then a library, and later by the Charleston Chamber of Commerce."
Postcard of Charleston's City Hall. Back of postcard reads: "It is at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets and is occupied by the Mayor, the Council and the Clerk of Council. It contains a number of portraits and busts of historic importance."