The story of Rosamond Lawson's family connection with Sullivan's Island is the story of houses. Her great-great grandfather, German immigrant Charles Otto Witte, bought the first house at Station 18 in the late 1860's. That house ultimately burned, but a second house at Station 11, built in 1868, was bought in 1910 and remained in the family until 2018. Having moved from Charleston to Virginia when she was six, many of Rosamond's early memories are of summer visits. However, in 1994 she moved back to this area and spent many more years in the house with her own growing family. Summertime memories in the early years included crabbing, fishing, playing kickball, and entertaining Charleston friends. She learned to drive on the dirt road that ran along the back of the island. Rosamond recalls all the front beach homes being summer residences. Few people lived on Sullivan's Island year round, and those were not on front beach. Most houses, including her own, had neither heating nor air conditioning. On the rare visit to the island in the winter, the place was nearly deserted. There was a vegetable man who would come over every few days to deliver fresh produce. Rosamond recounts the few businesses that existed in those days. Playing hide and seek in the old batteries and Fort Moultrie before it became a National Park are all fond memories. Rosamond describes the typical summer thunderstorm and experiencing that in the old house. She also shows the damage done by Hurricane Hugo. Rosamond is also part of the Waring family. That includes Judge Waties Waring whose controversial decision became part of the famous Brown vs. Board of Education case leading to his ostracization and eventual move from Charleston to New York. Finally, Rosamond discusses her favorite memories as well as all the changes she has seen in the area over the past twenty-five years.
Caption: 'Charleston--Celebration of her recovery from the effects of the Earthquake.--from a photograph by Cook.--[see page 818.]' [full date November 12, 1887.]
Caption: 'Cook's Earthquake Views of Charleston and Vicinity. Taken after the 31st of August, 1886. No.116, wreck in George Street.' Written on front, at bottom: 'Charleston Earthquake view - Ruins in George St.'
Caption: 'Charleston Earthquake. Photographs by Dr. E.P. Howland, taken on his visit to Charleston and the earthquake region of Ten Mile Hill and Summerville. Over 150 photographs were taken. Orphans and tents in which they lived.' Written on front, at bottom: 'Charleston Earthquake scene - orphans, standing the yard of the Orphan House.'
Written on reverse: 'House in which young Mr. Robson was killed. Two young ladies were buried in the ruins were rescued. Coming near Cannon.' Possibly from Cook's Earthquake Views, No.132, residence of J.N. Robson, from west. Written on front, at bottom: 'Charleston Earthquake view. Residence of Mr. J.N. Robson, whose eldest son was killed.' Charleston city directory for 1886 shows James N. Robson at 200 Coming Street.
Caption: 'Cook's Earthquake Views of Charleston and Vicinity. Taken after the 31st of August, 1886. No.149, Robb's Lot.' Handwritten on reverse: ' Robb's Lot E. side [of] King bet[ween] Market & Horlbeck.'
