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."
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."
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."
Postcard of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Back of postcard reads: "S.E. Corner Wentworth and Smith Streets. Charleston, S.C. This building, formerly known as the 'Rodgers Mansion' is a unique specimen of architecture, with large halls and spacious verandas. Visitors are welcome at all times."
Postcard of the Y.M.C.A. in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "The present Y.M.C.A. Building was created at a cost of $157,000, raised by popular subscription. It has a membership of about 1,600 and an average daily attendance of more than 600 men and boys. Its outdoor athletic field is one of the finest in the United States."
Postcard of the Old Slave Market. Back of postcard reads: "A dilapidated but quaint little structure is all that remains of the once flourishing traffic in slaves. The Slave Market, on Chalmers Street, attracts thousands of visitors annually."
Postcard of the Old Slave Market. Back of postcard reads: "A dilapidated but quaint little structure is all that remains of the once flourishing traffic in slaves. The Slave Market, on Chalmers Street, attracts thousands of visitors annually."
Postcard of the exterior of the Old Powder Magazine. Back of postcard reads: "This building, a low one room structure, on Cumberland Street stands as a memorial of Revolutionary fame. Here, all the implements of warfare were stored."
Postcard of Roper Hospital. Back of postcard reads: "The Roper Hospital is a city hospital for white and colored people. It is a brick building, and is located in the western part of the city, overlooking the Ashley River."
Postcard of the Old Exchange Building in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "The Old Exchange Building is one of the most historic sites in Charleston. Pirates were confined in its bastille in 1718. Later it was used as military headquarters. Here, during the Revolutionary War, the Provincial Congress set up the first Independent Government in America. In 1818 it was the Post Office."
Postcard of the Old Exchange Building in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "The Old Exchange Building is one of the most historic sites in Charleston. Pirates were confined in its bastille in 1718. Later it was used as military headquarters. Here, during the Revolutionary War, the Provincial Congress set up the first Independent Government in America. In 1818 it was the Post Office."
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 auditorium in the Dock Street Theatre. Front notes the photograph was by Frances Benjamin Johnson. Back of postcard reads: "The Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, South Carolina, is a revival of the theatre which opened on the same site in 1736. All of the buildings incorporate the remaining walls of the old Planters Hotel which began its opeartion in 1835. Buildings were completed by the Works Progress Administration for the City of Charleston. The theatre is operated by the Carolina Art Association."
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 courtyard of the Dock Street Theatre. Back of postcard reads: "S.W. Corner of Church and Queen. Originally opened 1736. Restored, together with the Planters Hotel, and dedicated in Nov. 1937, with the presentation of George Farquhar's, 'The Recruiting Officer,' the play with which the original theater was opened two hundred years ago. This was a W.P.A. Project of $300,000."
Postcard of the entrance of the Dock Street Theatre. Back of postcard reads: "Dock Street Theatre. Opened in 1736. First legitimate theatre in America. Built exclusively as a theatre. Restored in 1937. It was the Planters Hotel in 1809. First Hotel in Charleston where Charleston Society of over a century ago gathered."
Postcard of the Custom House in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "Built in 1850. Building is of White Marble of the Roman-Corinthian style of architecture. It houses a number of Government Bureaus. Located on the Cooper River."
Postcard of the Custom House in Charleston. Back of postcard reads: "The building is of white marble situated just south of the Market. It was once employed by the officers of the Customs and the United States Courts, but is now occuped by the Weather Bureau as well as the Customs Department."
