Tag: South of Broad

Charleston’s cobblestone streets are just one of her many charms.  Though there are only eight left now, these historic streets were once much more common. It’s believed that the peninsula once contained over ten miles of cobblestone ways. Thankfully our streets now afford us a more smooth ride for the most part, but we’re still proud of the history the endearing cobblestones hold.

Here are a few facts you may not have known about the Holy City’s cobblestone streets:

So how did cobblestones get here in the first place? When the city was first settled, ships would use the stones as weights, weighing the boats down when they didn’t have enough cargo. Once the ships were emptied, off came the stones to make room for exported goods. Naturally, the smooth stones collected onto the wharves, or wharfs.

Anyone who has ever driven down a cobblestone street knows the bumpiness of the ride all too well. But the stones were a more sensible option than Charleston’s once dirt-based, muddy streets. The smoothness of the cobblestones made streets easier to navigate for the transportation mode of the colonial days: horse-and-carriages, and the addition of stones as streets were preferable to what you can imagine — based on the state of the peninsula now when it rains — were streets filled with mud and water when it rained.

Chalmers Street, nestled in the French Quarter, is definitely the most well-known, and photographed, cobblestone street in the city. It’s also long been called Labor Lane, as rumor has it that way-back-when, a ride on the rockiest of roads caused nine-month-pregnant women to go into labor.

Another well-known cobblestone street in the city is called Adger’s Wharf, which is located South of Broad. Running from East Bay Street straight to the water, the bumpy road was a busy dock, originally called Magwood’s Wharf. But its current name came from a 19th-century Irish merchant named James Adger II who came to Charleston via New York in 1802 as a cotton buyer. He later opened a hardware store and established the Adger Line and became one of the country’s wealthiest men. Today Adger’s Wharf makes for a perfectly lovely shortcut to the harbor — and, if you like, to Waterfront Park — from East Bay.

At the bottom of Broad Street, near the Exchange Building, lies Gillon Street, another example of early cobblestone street paving in Charleston. It’s named after Alexander Gillon, who was a famous commodore of the navy of SC during the Revolutionary War. Later on, he founded the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, which today is the oldest Chamber of Commerce in America.

A slightly more secret cobblestone-filled street is Longitude Lane, though it’s actually more of an alley. It’s a beautiful path that leads to a narrow street with a handful of old single-family houses you’ll instantly picture yourself living in — because who is lucky enough to live on sweet little streets such as these?

Many people come into The Real Estate Studio in downtown Charleston with 3 little words on their minds…. South of Broad.  It is the most desired neighborhood on the peninsula.  And now a new study at Clemson University may shed some light on why the residents of this quaint, historic area love it so much.  South of Broad, along with I’On in Mount Pleasant, will be the focus of a study on the relationship between the age and design of urban places and residents’ attachment to them.  Although I’On is a new development, it’s design employs traditional and historic architecture.

Click HERE to read more about this study or, if you are a resident of one of these neighborhoods, to take the online survey.

This week’s Featured Property is 7 Gibbes Street in the beautiful and highly desirable South of Broad neighborhood of Downtown Charleston. This home, originally built in 1790, has recently been completely renovated to offer an exterior of historic charm and an interior of modern convenience. No expense was spared in the comprehensive renovation, yet anything that could be salvaged from the original house is still in use. This is a gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Downtown home in a quiet neighborhood.

For more information, contact real estate agent BETTY POORE at Betty@BettyPoore.com or call (843) 513-1721.