Interview with Bill and Suzanne McIntosh, long-time owners of 66 Anson Street (Chazal House), who reminisce about their home and the changes in the Ansonborough neighborhood that they have witnessed over the past 50+ plus years. Mr. McIntosh was a long-time Charlestonian who descended from Mary Fisher Bailey Cross, a Quaker, who came to Charleston in 1680. He grew up on Greenhill Street and later lived on New and Broad Streets. He went to the Craft School and High School of Charleston. He owned a successful travel agency on Broad Street and was the president of the Preservation Society during the "Omni [now Charleston Place] controversies." Mrs. McIntosh is from New Orleans where they met when both were in college. Mrs. McIntosh worked for the Evening Post. They purchased 66 Anson Street from Historic Charleston Foundation in 1961 through its Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project. They bought the house because as preservationists they wanted to restore a house. Also the house was inexpensive and they wanted a house with a yard. They had followed the lead of Peter Manigualt (Evening Post Industries) who had previously purchased a house in Ansonborough. Within eight years after they bought the house, at least 8 other Evening Post/News & Courier staff bought homes in Ansonborough, and as word spread, many others got excited and moved there. Repairing, restoring, and renovating the house has been an ongoing process, starting when the McIntoshes cleared out sand on the ground that had reached the front steps, added a new roof, and installed electricity and plumbing. Herbert DeCosta did the work and also advised on the interiors. Through the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project under Frances Edmunds's leadership, Ansonborough became one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Charleston. Regarding neighborhood conditions and changes, like other homes in Ansonborough, 66 Anson Street was in deteriorated and neglected condition when the McIntoshes bought it. Many people thought the area was a dangerous slum but "many didn't see the neighborhood for how good it was … It was a poor community, not a slum … After World War II there wasn't any money" so the homes slowly became run down and weren't repaired. There had been corner grocery stores which were essential as most residents didn't have cars. (The corner stores were converted to residential during the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project.) Many new Ansonborough homeowners were young couples before they had children. They socialized and shared information, eventually forming the Ansonborough Neighborhood Association. Ansonborough was a close community but has changed significantly over the years. Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh are the only original ARP homeowners living in the borough and they don't know many of their neighbors. Tourism has had an impact on Ansonborough, largely that of the carriage tours which Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh have not liked since the earliest tours. The rising value of homes has made it more expensive to live and maintain a house; almost all of the McIntosh's former neighbors have moved. There are also many part-time residents, which has changed the character of the neighborhood. Interviewed by Katherine Pemberton on April 21, 2016 at the McIntosh's home at 66 Anson Street.
Interview with Yvonne Tucker, who purchased the house at 258 Ashley Avenue through Historic Charleston Foundation's Neighborhood Impact Initiative. Ms. Tucker recalls growing up on the East Side, later moving away, then returning to Elliottborough. After an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a home on Bogard Street through the Charleston Bank Consortium Program, Ms. Tucker believed that she'd never be able to buy a home until sometime later, Historic Charleston Foundation contacted her about its Neighborhood Impact Initiative and offered 258 Ashley Avenue to her. Skeptical at first due to the condition of the house and neighborhood at the time, she purchased the house with assistance from HCF, which also undertook the restoration of the house. Ms. Tucker recalls participating with HCF during the restoration and she learned to appreciate preservation. Asked about how the neighborhood has changed since she bought the house, Ms. Tucker states that there is much less crime and that she and her two daughters who grew up in the house feel safe. There are also more local businesses and her job is within walking distance. The downside is that the neighborhood has priced out some homeowners and that a historic house is expensive to maintain. Despite all the odds stacked against her, Ms. Tucker states that she wouldn't have been able to purchase a home without HCF and that both she and her daughters are proud of their home. "I didn't go looking for a home; a home came looking for me." Interviewed by Katherine Pemberton on March 3, 2016, at Ms. Tucker's home at 258 Ashley Avenue. Richard Almes, videographer. Recorded as part of HCF's "Changing Neighborhoods" series, made possible by a grant from the SC Humanities Commission.
This one-page typed bulletin to the Ansonborough community announces a meeting of the Board of Adjustment to review the proposed multi-family building on the corner of Meeting and George Streets. Historic Charleston Foundation asks for support in opposing the proposed structure.
This two-page typed document, with notes, provides information regarding covenants on properties formerly under the ownership of Historic Charleston Foundation in order to establish trends for use restrictions in the Ansonborough neighborhood.
In this one-page typed letter, Edmunds expresses her regret that the O'Hears will be leaving Ansonborough, but says she is grateful for their early participation in the rehabilitation efforts in the neighborhood, and approves of the sale to Ewing.
In this one-page typed letter, Edmunds expresses her regret that Connelly will be leaving Ansonborough, but says she is glad that the Lemons will be purchasing the home. She permits the sale.
In this one-page typed letter, Bates writes on behalf of Eve K. Snedeker, who is purchasing the property at 32 Wentworth Street from W. Newton Morris. He advises Historic Charleston Foundation of the sale, and requests the execution of a quit-claim deed.
In this one-page handwritten letter, O'Hear advises Edmunds that she has received an offer for her home at 48 Laurens Street from Phyllis Walker Ewing and requests permission to accept the offer.
In this one-page typed letter, Edmunds acknowledges Newton Morris's sale of his home on Wentworth Street and states that she will send a notarized quit-claim deed to Bates.
In this one-page typed letter, Boyd writes to inform Edmunds that he has received an offer from R. Scott Hood for his home at 59 Society Street. Boyd asks for permission to proceed with the sale, per Section 3 of the Ansonborough restrictive covenants.
In this one-page, handwritten Letter, O'Hear writes to notify Historic Charleston Foundation that she plans to sell her home at 48 Laurens Street. She writes that Betty Hanahan appraised her home for $110,000.
In this one-page typed letter, Rudolf acknowledges Shelton's letter regarding historic markers in Charleston. She describes the sign for buildings designated by Historic Charleston Foundation.
In this one-page typed letter, Edmunds expresses regret that the O'Hears plan to leave Ansonborough, and expresses her hope that they find a suitable buyer. Edmunds also explains that per the restrictive covenants, O'Hear must contact Historic Charleston Foundation when a sale is imminent.
In this one-page typed letter, Edmunds permits Boyd to sell his home at 59 Society Street to R. Scott Hood. She expresses regret that Boyd is leaving Ansonborough, but thanks him for finding a nice family to live in his home.
This one-page typed document provides information for properties held for sale by Historic Charleston Foundation, including the price and zoning restrictions.
This one-page typed document lists properties owned by Historic Charleston Foundation. They are sorted into Ansonborough properties and properties outside of Ansonborough.
This one-page typed document lists rental properties and properties for sale in the Ansonborough neighborhood owned by the Historic Charleston Foundation.
In this two-page letter, McIntosh asks for Edmunds' assistance with a list of Ansonborough properties in unsatisfactory condition. These properties include 8 Alexander Street, 50 Laurens Street, 3 Wall Street, the N.W. corner of Wall and Laurens Streets, 51 Laurens Street, 4 George Street, 60 Society Street, 62 Society Street, 49 Society Street, 51 Society Street, 20 Wentworth Street, 52 Anson Street, 45 Hasell Street, 75 Anson Street, 43 Laurens Street
In this one-page typed letter, Raynor informs Spell that a sample sign for Ansonborough has been placed. He expresses his disappointment with the sign, and suggests that they contact Historic Charleston Foundation before continuing with the sign's installation.
List of properties sold in the Ansonborough neighborhood, categorized by Historic Charleston Foundation sales, Foundation property that has been resold, and private sales.
In this one-page typed letter, Lindsay writes to inform Edmunds that he has received an offer from Dr. and Mrs. Kim Keeley for their home at 23 Wentworth Street.
In this one-page handwritten letter, Leland writes to inform Historic Charleston Foundation that she has received an offer for her home at 40 Society Street and is prepared to accept the offer.
In this one-page typed letter, Edmunds expresses regret that Lindsay and his wife will be leaving Ansonborough, but says she is glad to hear that their home will soon be owned by Dr. and Mrs. Keeley.
In this one-page typed letter, Edmunds expresses regret that Leland will be leaving Ansonborough, but says she is glad to hear that her home at 40 Society Street will soon be owned by Miss Muller.
In this letter, Edmunds asks Hollings if it would be possible for A. G. Hollings Real Estate to sell the property at 11 Wentworth Street to the Historic Charleston Foundation.
This one-page typed document provides the age and ownership history of 49 Laurens Street, 13 Wentworth, 42 Laurens Street, 8 George Street, 27 Anson Street, and 7 George Street.
This four-page brochure includes background information on the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project, photographs and information about Ansonborough homes, and a map of Ansonborough.
This four-page brochure includes background information on the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project, photographs and information about Ansonborough homes, and a map of Ansonborough.
This four-page brochure includes background information on the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project, photographs and information about Ansonborough homes, and a map of Ansonborough.
In this one-page typed letter, Rudolf asks Schmidt to make three additional signs for the William Monies house, the Edward Winslow Tenement, and the Robert Roulain House.
in this letter, Stevenson thanks Ehni for his letter informing him of the formation of the Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association and expresses his interest in working with the association in the future.
In this letter, Ehni announces the formation of the Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association to Stevenson, president of the Historic Charleston Foundation.
This one-page typed document lists several Ansonborough properties with the approximate date they were built, the name of the structure, and the address.
This two-page typed document provides a progress report on properties in the Ansonborough neighborhood owned by Historic Charleston Foundation and an estimate of the financial investment made in the area.
In this three-page typed document, Louis Green reports his research of the ownership history for 7 George Street; 79 Anson Street; 81 Anson Street; 5 George Street; 75 Anson Street; and 71 Anson Street. Architectural details of these properties are also discussed.
This one-page typed document provides information on properties being renovated through the Ansonborough rehabilitation efforts. It appears to be a memo from an individual with initials FRE to an unidentified recipient.
In this letter, Woods asks Biddle, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for advice on the formation of a neighborhood association for Ansonborough.
Memo to Ansonborough Tour Home Owners listing the "twelve buildings being restored or much improved," and "nine buildings on which restoration plans are nearing completion and should begin shortly."
In this one-page typed bulletin, Green discusses the ownership and occupancy histories of 42 Anson Street; 44 Anson Street; 46 Anson Street; 48 Anson Street; and 50 Anson Street. Also focuses on Martin Dowd's properties in Charleston, including 53 Tradd Street.
Letter from Edmunds to Wragg encouraging Wragg and other Ansonborough residents to contact Father Friend, the Mayor, and the City Engineer's office about the ruins of the Catholic Church on Wentworth Street.
