Horrific hurricane of 1752 interrupts Charles Town’s plans
Our 2020 hurricane season has seen so many storms that by mid-September meteorologists ran out of given names and resorted to the Greek...

Charleston Mercury Staff
Sep 30, 2020
President James Monroe visits Charleston
President James Monroe enjoyed a popularity second only to that of George Washington. His 1819 Southern tour was to inspect coastal...

Charleston Mercury Staff
Sep 2, 2020
Revival, revolt and a colonial cult - A Huguenot ‘Waco’ in early Carolina
Gun battles. Murders. Executions, fantastical prophesies — all in the Palmetto State’s own parish of St. Denis. It’s a sensational tale...

Charleston Mercury Staff
Jun 12, 2019
140 Broad Street - The Alfred Huger House
The “story behind the story” is far more compelling than a brief recitation of the attributes of the lovely frame home at 140 Broad St....

Charleston Mercury Staff
Jun 12, 2019
The Italianate trio - 7, 9 and 11 Broad Street
The trio of Italianate brownstone buildings at 7, 9 and 11 Broad Street are often grouped together in photographs and their histories are...

Charleston Mercury Staff
Jun 12, 2019
Ground moles and blood at the polls: 50 Broad Street
According Dr. David Ramsay’s History of South Carolina, the Bank of South Carolina was organized once the state recovered from the...

Charleston Mercury Staff
May 9, 2019


The People’s Building - 18 Broad Street
Towering above Broad Street is the People’s Building, Charleston’s first skyscraper. At the time of its construction, many hailed it as a...

Charleston Mercury Staff
Apr 4, 2019
134 Broad Street - Gothic beauty, earthquake memories
The 1680 plan for Charles Towne laid out three 60-foot-wide thoroughfares for the community. Among them was Broad Street, a space...

Charleston Mercury Staff
Feb 7, 2019
Remembering Colonel William Rhett
The Rhett name goes back to the early days of the Carolina colony. I was privileged to discuss this legacy with the Rev. Dr. William...

Charleston Mercury Staff
May 7, 2018


Steeped in history — the Confederate Home
When Charles Town was planned on the “Grand Modell,” Broad Street was envisioned as the major east-west thoroughfare. On the east end...

Charleston Mercury Staff
Apr 6, 2017


