Charleston’s Lost Architecture: Stunning Historic Buildings, Homes, and Landmarks that have been Demolished

Charleston, South Carolina, founded in 1670 as Charles Town, is the oldest city in the state and one of the most architecturally rich cities in America. Across eight distinct styles—Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Classical Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Victorian, and Art Deco—Charleston’s built history tells the story of a city that grew from a riverside colonial settlement into a prosperous urban center. Not all of that history has survived. The images below document stunning historic buildings, homes, and landmarks that once defined Charleston’s streets and have since been demolished.

100 Broad Street, street (front) elevation. The building was demolished in 1953 for the construction of the American Mutual Life Insurance building, which itself was later demolished for the construction of the Judicial Center. Courtesy of the Fairfield County Historical Museum.

102 Beaufain Street, dated April 15, 1964. The house was demolished in 1965 and two townhouses were constructed on the site in 1975.

A house identified as being on the southeast corner of President and Cannon Streets. The address is likely 104 President Street. Street (front) elevation. Apartment building in the background. “Behold God’s Army” spray-painted on front. House is for sale by Fitzhenry Realty. A note on the back indicates that the house collapsed and is gone. There is no history on this building in HCF’s Archives. What is known is that it was located on the southeast corner of President and Cannon Streets, served as rented rooms or apartments, and operated as a corner store for many years, including Cash Carry, Mike’s Semi-Self Service, and Tom’s Victory Fruit Store. A note written on the back of the photograph indicates that the building collapsed, with no date given. However, in 1980 the owner requested a variance from the Board of Adjustment to renovate the house, and in 1991 the owner requested a variance to allow for the construction of six new dwellings on the site. It is therefore assumed that the building collapsed sometime in the 1980s. (News & Courier and Evening Post advertisements and public notices accessed via the database “America’s News-Historical and Current.”)

Photos of 108 Meeting, 110 Meeting, 112 Meeting, and 116 Meeting Streets, viewed from across the street (right to left). 108–112 Meeting were demolished around 1905. The only extant building is 114–116 Meeting (Old Lower Fire Station Building).

a: West (front) elevation, showing the piazzas. The view of the house is partially obstructed by trees. b: Corner view looking up at the piazzas on the upper story of the house (northwest corner). The view of the lower story is obstructed by trees. A portion of an iron gate is in the foreground. The address appears in a list of “new buildings” in 1895 (“two-story wood dwelling”) but not on the 1902 Sanborn Map. James R. Johnson, a coal merchant, lived there by 1908. The house was demolished in 1970.

A four-story building identified as “East Storage” at what was 119 Meeting Street, taken sometime after the 1886 earthquake. “A. Kennedy” is painted over the entry of what would have been 121 Meeting. The current address is 177–179 Meeting Street. A portion of the drug store to the north at what would have been 181 Meeting is also in view at right; now lost.

12 George Street, north (front) elevation. The house was demolished before 1991 for the construction of Menotti Street.

The corner grocery store at 129 Rutledge Avenue before demolition. The building was located at the northwest corner of Rutledge Avenue and Calhoun Street. Shows the MUSC Rutledge Tower behind the building and the street corner with pedestrians.

131 Market Street (Boswick’s Auto Service), corner view of building (northeast elevation). Now the site of the entrance to a parking lot. A billboard for Historic Savannah is posted on the side of the building.

135 Market Street (Jones Dry Cleaners), street (front) elevation. Now the site of the entrance to a parking lot.

Portions of 143 East Bay Street (Charleston Office Supply Co. and Carolina Engineering and Forestry Supplies) and 145 East Bay Street piazzas. 145 East Bay Street is now gone.

Three houses, probably on Ashley Avenue (150 Ashley, 154 Ashley, and 156 Ashley). These houses were demolished in 1948 to make way for the construction of the nursing college at St. Francis Xavier.

Black-and-white photograph of 164–166 East Bay Street, front (west) elevation showing the northwest corner of the building and the corner of East Bay Street and Vendue Range, where the Vendue Range currently stands. “The Shell Shop” is painted on the building at 164 East Bay. A street sign for the East Bay/Queen Street corner across the street is at the far right.

Scan of an original photograph of the house at 157 Rutledge Avenue, east (front) elevation. The house was torn down in the 1920s during the construction of Charleston High School, positioned where the parking deck currently is.

Photograph (scan) of 176 Tradd Street in 1915. Oblique view of the original house on the property, showing the south (front) and west elevations. Also shows 174 Tradd, the street corner (Tradd and Colonial Streets), and a car parked on Colonial Street. The house was demolished in the early 1970s and replaced by a townhouse.

Photograph (scan) of 191 Rutledge Avenue from the corner of Morris Street, taken after a fire that occurred in a storage room at the rear of the house. A fire truck is in front of the house where a crowd has gathered. 191 Rutledge was a two-story frame Victorian house that was the home of J.N. (John N.) Peecksen, a successful Charleston grocer, in the early 20th century. The house was demolished in 1968 for the construction of the headquarters of the Charleston Baptist Association and Baptist Student Center. It is now the location of the offices of Charleston Cardiology.

Black-and-white photograph of 199 Meeting Street (Ace Liquors Inc, formerly known as The Horse Shoe bar) and the view west across what was a parking lot for Belk Department Store (232 King Street), now the site of Charleston Place (formerly known as Charleston Center). Shows buildings on the west side of King Street: 231 King, 233 King, 235 King, and 237 King. Two copies of the photo are in the sleeve.

Two black-and-white photographs of 20 George Street before it was demolished in 1962: a: South (front) elevation also showing the piazzas on the west elevation, taken from the lot across the street. Dated 1/26/1962. “Demolished Feb. 1962” written on back. b: View of the west (piazzas) elevation also showing the front of the house on the south elevation. Station wagon parked on the street in front of house. “Gone” written on back.

Black-and-white photograph of 205 Meeting Street, occupied by Berendt Bros. Inc., front facade (east elevation), taken before demolition.

207 Meeting Street, occupied by McGowan & Koonce Office Equipment, front facade (east elevation), taken after its neighbor at 205 Meeting Street was demolished. This building was also demolished soon after.

207–211 Meeting Street, front facades (east elevations), taken before 207 Meeting was demolished. Individual addresses shown are 207 Meeting (Atlantic Paint Company), 209 Meeting, and 211 Meeting (Dixie Shoe Company).

The east side of the 240 block of Meeting Street, from a parking lot at the corner of Meeting and Hasell Streets, showing 246 Meeting Street (Anderson Electric Co.), 248 Meeting, 250 Meeting, and 252 Meeting. Southwest elevations of 66 Hasell Street and 64 Hasell Street are visible at right. 246–250 Meeting is currently a parking lot.

Ten Ektachrome slides featuring the buildings at 244 Meeting, 246 Meeting, and 248 Meeting before and during demolition. 242 Meeting had previously been demolished.

248 King Street, west (front) elevation. Occupied by My Shop. Several women are walking on the sidewalk in front of the building.

139 East Bay Street (First National Bank Building), front (east) elevation. For Rent signs are posted on two of its columns. Several rows of wires are stretched across and in front of the building, in preparation for the demolition of the building. A car is parked on the street in front.

1 Reid Street (John F. Riley House), showing the south (piazzas) and east (East Bay Street) elevations. Captioned on the back of the photograph: “Bay Street at Reid Street.” Also known as 601 East Bay Street. When the City Engineer’s office discovered that the demolition permit was issued without full knowledge of the building’s age or its location, demolition was halted in April 1961. It is presumed that the demolition was completed sometime soon thereafter. The house was believed to be 147 years old at the time.

Apartment building that was located at 1–11 Ashley Boulevard, demolished in 2019.

6 George Street, corner view, south and west (piazzas) elevations. Demolished for the creation of Menotti Street.

Scan of 51 Wentworth Street (Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.) and 53 Wentworth Street, street (front) elevation. These buildings were demolished, possibly for the construction of a parking lot.

55 Wentworth Street (United Dry Cleaners) and 57 Wentworth Street (Fenwick Rooms), street (front) elevation. These buildings were demolished in 1953 for the construction of a restaurant. Both buildings were built on lots that were originally part of Rhettsbury, sold by a descendant of Col. William Rhett in 1844. Soon after, “the two substantial and typical single houses were built in the classic revival style by Samuel Meeker and Leonard Weissinger.”

The house located at 52–54 Beaufain Street, south (front) elevation. Two children stand in the doorway. The house was demolished for the construction of Memminger High School, which later became the site of Memminger Auditorium.

The Chase Furniture Company building (414 King Street) and the A.M. Solomon & Sons building (416 King Street), west (front) elevations (right to left). 416 King was demolished probably sometime in the 1990s.

418 Meeting Street and the two houses to its north, 420 Meeting and 422 Meeting. The houses were demolished for the construction of a gas station in 1964.

424 King Street (B. Slotchiver & Son Furniture Co. and Gene’s Electric Service), street (front) elevation. A fire destroyed the building in 1966.

40 Archdale Street, viewed from across a parking lot. 40 Archdale (located at the corner of Archdale and Market), at left; 38 Archdale Street in the middle; 36 Archdale Street at right. 36 and 38 Archdale Street were demolished in 1957.

39 Calhoun and 41 Calhoun, two of the three houses locally known as “The Three Sisters.” Street (front) elevation, corner view of the houses.

4 George Street, south (front) elevation. The house appears to be in a state of disrepair. 91 Anson Street (at right) is in view, along with three Anson Street houses at the far right, probably 88 Anson, 90 Anson, and 92 Anson, demolished for the construction of the Gaillard Auditorium.

339 East Bay Street, east (front) elevation. Likely taken shortly before the building was demolished. A portion of the neighboring building, 341 East Bay Street (M.L. Chapman Plumbing), is at right.

324 East Bay Street (right) and 326 East Bay Street (middle), showing the southwest corners of both houses. The piazzas of 328 East Bay Street are also visible at left. Both buildings (and 322 East Bay) were demolished sometime after this photograph was taken.

Demolished in 1964 for the construction of a parking lot for 329 East Bay Street.

28 Wall Street in progress of demolition; torn down along with other Wall Street houses because of their proximity to the site where the Gaillard Auditorium would be constructed. Demolition debris and an excavator are in the foreground.

Examples of Colonial architecture in Charleston and Savannah featuring “The Johnston House,” which was located at 281 Meeting Street. Its neighbors at 283 Meeting and 285 Meeting are also in view.

292 Meeting Street (demolished), located at the northeast corner of Meeting and George Streets.

68 Anson Street, street (front) elevation, with a picket fence in front. The house was torn down to make a larger lot for 72 Anson Street.

The Fort Sumter Shell Station at 71 King Street, which was located at the southwest corner of King and Tradd Streets.

71 King Street, the Fort Sumter Filling Station, view of the street corner (King & Tradd Streets).

The house originally located at 82 Anson Street, later demolished for the relocation of the house at 86 Anson Street.

To its left is an arched entry connecting 83 Hasell to 85, with the sign “Lion’s Head.” The building was demolished for the Hasell Street entry to Charleston Place and its parking garage.

96 Anson Street and 98 Anson Street before they were demolished for the construction of the Gaillard Auditorium.

The Argyle Hotel (237 Meeting Street), showing the front of the building and the Hasell Street elevation, and showing the corner of Meeting and Hasell Streets. A sign for the hotel projects from the southeast corner of the building. A barber shop is on the ground floor.

The residence of the Bacot House on Coming Street, possibly at 61 Coming Street.

The Bennett Rice Mill, corner view, taken just prior to its near destruction by Hurricane Donna in 1960.

The Bennett Rice Mill in deteriorated condition, probably in the 1950s.

159–161 Meeting Street, C.D. Franke & Co., Auto Accessories, east (front) elevation. Automobile tires are displayed in the storefront windows and several men stand in front of the entrance. A C.D. Franke & Co. truck is parked in front. Now the site of the Days Inn hotel.

The Charleston Freight Station, located at 552–556 East Bay Street. It was destroyed by a fire in February 1988. The Francis Marion Hotel and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church can be seen in the distant background.

Charleston Hotel on Meeting Street near Pinckney Street, decorated for Fleet Week, 11/19/12. A dog is on the sidewalk in the foreground. An Atlantic Coast Line sign is on the corner of the building.

The south side of Charlotte Street before the houses were torn down to construct a parking lot for the Mendel Rivers Federal Building.

Condon’s Department Store (431 King) located at the northwest corner of King and Warren Streets, featuring the lower portion of the building. Also in view is a portion of the building across the street (427 King Street); this building was demolished in 1947 for the construction of a new building, the South Store.

The corner of King Street and Spring Street showing the damage done to the building by Hurricane Hugo. A portion of the Lincoln Theater (601 King Street) is visible at right.

The corner of King Street and Spring Street showing the damage done to the building by Hurricane Hugo. A portion of the Lincoln Theater (601 King Street) is visible at right.

The Gabriel Manigault House, located at the northwest corner of Meeting and George Streets. The house was purchased by Standard Oil Company and demolished shortly after this image was taken to make way for an Esso Service Station.

A house on Fishburne Street demolished by the tornado of 1938. A neighboring house is in view at left. Both houses would have been on the north side of the 200 block of Fishburne Street.

The Heart of Charleston Motor Hotel at 200 Meeting Street, between Hayne Street and Pinckney Street. Corner view of building (northeast elevation) and view of the southeast corner of Meeting and Pinckney. Previously the site of The Charleston Hotel (1838–1960) and currently the site of the Bank of America Building.

The Henry Laurens House, which had been located at the southeast corner of East Bay and Laurens Street, front (east) and south elevations (piazzas). The house was demolished in 1914.

The Isle of Palms Bath House and the Pavilion. Images include crowds at the Pavilion socializing and enjoying a band. A view of the grounds of the Isle of Palms Bath House, including a hotel next door, a parking lot filled with cars, and a Ferris wheel. The Bath House and Pavilion were destroyed by fire on January 29, 1938.

The John Street Fire Station (44–48 John Street). A fire truck and horse-drawn fire wagon are in front, along with white and Black firemen. At left are neighboring buildings, including the rear of 428 King Street (left) and a small portion of 431 King Street (far left) across King Street. The John Street Fire Station was also known as Hook and Ladder No. 1. There is no history of this building in the HCF Archives. The building is believed to have been on the north side of John Street near the corner of King and John Streets. This building appears on the 1902 Sanborn Map. In the 1940s, the city budget included funds for a new fire station to replace the John Street Fire Station, and a new station was built on Coming Street near Calhoun Street. The fire station housed the first all-Black company and was the last fire station to use horses. In the 1940s and 1950s, the John Street building was used as a building materials warehouse and then as a liquor store. Sometime between the publication of the 1951 and 1955 Sanborn Maps, the building was demolished and the site became a parking lot.

The view looking north across what was a parking lot for Belk Department Store (232 King Street), now the site of Charleston Place (formerly known as Charleston Center). Shows the southeast elevation of 238–242 King Street. A portion of Kerrison’s (department store) is in the background at far left.

Once located at 20 Beaufain Street.

Stereographic card bearing the image of a building, possibly officers’ quarters, on the Porter Military Academy campus. A cadet stands in the driveway. Probably originally located on Bee Street between President Street and Ashley Avenue, now the site of MUSC.

The old Charleston County Public Library (404 King Street), corner view of building showing the west (front) and south elevations. Demolished for the construction of Hotel Bennett.

The demolition of the Charleston Orphan House Chapel, which had been located at 13 Vanderhorst Street.

View of the Orvin Inn / Orvin Court that was located at 194 Calhoun Street, probably the Calhoun Street elevation showing the southwest corner of the building and viewed from across the street. The Orvin Inn, also known as the Orvin Motor Court and the John C. Calhoun Motor Court, was located at 194 Calhoun Street. The building was later named The College Inn when the College of Charleston purchased the motel and used it to house students until the 1990s. At some point thereafter, the building was demolished and the site was used as a parking lot. In the mid-2000s, construction began on a new science building and the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History, which occupy the site today.

It is the parking lot for the bank on the southwest corner of Rutledge and Moultrie today. In the 1930s, the house was used as a tourist home.

The lower portion of the front of the Judge King House, featuring the double staircase with wrought-iron balustrade rising from the walkway to the landing, and the elaborate doorway. The house was located at the northwest corner of Meeting and George Streets.

Rodenberg’s grocery store, street (front) elevation, located at 569 Rutledge Avenue. “This building was later bulldozed and replaced with a Food Lion when Food Lion was still a series of tiny grocery stores, and that building itself later was redone.” (Currently the site of the Nehemiah Lodge fraternal organization.)

Located on the Ashley River between Magnolia and Middleton Plantations, it is believed to have been named for the property’s great oak trees and its location along a river similar to the Runnymede in England. Two other houses on the property were destroyed—the first by fire and the second by the Union Army—but the house featured here was constructed sometime after the Civil War by Charles C. Pinckney. The house remained in the Pinckney family for over a century. The house burned down in 2002.

The Sinclair Filling Station that was located at 158 Tradd Street at the corner where New Street meets Tradd. A motorcycle is parked in the foreground. Nearby houses are also visible at left and right.

The St. John Hotel (115 Meeting Street), corner view showing the east (front) and the north (Queen Street) elevations. A sign for the hotel projects from the second-floor balcony. Also shows the view of the street corner (Meeting and Queen Streets).

The St. John’s Hotel at 115 Meeting Street, early 1960s, before demolition. Corner view of building showing the south (partial piazza) and east (front) elevations. The sign “Charleston’s Only Antebellum Hotel” projects from the second floor.

The east (front) elevation of the St. John Hotel at 115 Meeting Street, around the early 1960s, before demolition. Now the site of the Mills House Hotel.

The St. John’s Lutheran Church Parish House before it was demolished for the construction of a new building. Address: 5 Clifford Street. The building was constructed around 1854 and was razed by September 1954, when ground was broken for the construction of a new building designed by Halsey and Cummings Architects and built by General Contracting Company for $85,764. (“America’s News-Historical and Current,” “Fire Insurance Maps Online” [also known as Sanborn Maps], each accessed via the Charleston County Public Library website.)

They were located near the intersection of State Street and Cumberland Street.

A woman stands on the sidewalk in front of the house. Partial views of neighboring homes are also in view.

The old Roper Hospital, located at the corner of Calhoun and Lucas Streets.

The view south on East Bay Street from Calhoun Street showing the corner of Calhoun and East Bay Streets. Features 37 Calhoun, 39 Calhoun, and 41 Calhoun (left to right), locally known as “The Three Sisters”; the Pure gas station across the street at 474 East Bay; and the two houses at 344 East Bay and 342 East Bay.

Thomson Auditorium (121 Rutledge Avenue) decorated for a Confederate Veterans’ Reunion, per the sign on the columns. Trolley tracks are visible on Rutledge Avenue, then a cobblestone street. A man in a top hat crosses the street walking toward the building; a horse-drawn carriage is parked by the sidewalk; people are standing on the steps outside the front door.

An elevated view of the Timrod Hotel, which had been located at 101 Meeting Street. Cars are parked in front and across the street. The Hibernian Society building next door is also in view (right, background).

The damage done to the building is visible. The building was later demolished in the 1960s.

Located at the northeast corner of Columbus Street and East Bay Street. A trolley car is on the street; pedestrians are in front of the building. American flags fly on top of each tower.

Timrod Hotel, southeast corner of the building, which had been located at 101 Meeting Street. Pedestrians are on the sidewalk and street.

Vendue Range, street scene, looking east. Clyde Line terminal in the background, located at the foot of Vendue Range where Waterfront Park is today.

The west side of King Street below Market Street (where Majestic Square is now), at the corner of King Street and Market Street. South Carolina Federal Savings & Loan (221 King Street) is in the foreground. Also shown are 219 King Street, 217 King Street, 215 King Street, and 213 King Street.

The west side of the 170 block of Meeting Street, looking south from the corner of Market Street. Shows Parson’s Gulf Station (181–183 Meeting), Madren Paint Company (177 Meeting Street), 173 Meeting Street, and the Golden Eagle Motor Inn. Currently the site of the Wells Fargo Banking Center.

The Weyman House (340 Meeting Street), street elevation, corner view at Charlotte and Meeting Streets. A welcome sign for The Second Presbyterian Church is in the foreground.

This house was built by Joseph T. Weyman around 1822 and designed by William Jay, Architect.

Eight color photographs of the White Swan Laundry that stood at 723 King Street, before its demolition. Photographs are dated March 17, 1995.

The Y.W.C.A. building, located at 26 George Street. Three women stand in front of the building. Also shows portions of the neighboring buildings at left and at right. The Y.W.C.A. was first established in Charleston in 1903 in two rooms on King Street. They moved several times before settling in this building at 26 George Street, which was completed on March 4, 1920.

The Mickey Funeral Home was established in Charleston in 1894 by Edward Mickey. At his death, Edwin G. Harleston, brother of Edward Mickey’s wife, Hannah Harleston Mickey, took over the firm until the two Mickey sons, Richard Harleston Mickey and Edward Crum Mickey, came of age. In 1901, Edward Crum Mickey learned the trade and worked with Edwin G. Harleston at the funeral home. The company split in 1913; the Mickey Funeral Home re-established itself as an individual entity, run by the two brothers and their mother Hannah, while Edwin G. Harleston founded the Harleston Funeral Home. In the early 1930s, E.C. Mickey decided to build an expensive funeral parlor at 50 Cannon Street. The business failed and the firm shut down in 1933.

Located on the south side of Calhoun between King and St. Philip Street. Formerly the home of the grandparents of Mayor Joseph Riley. Now the site of the Halsey Gallery. Captioned “Mrs. Andrew J. Riley – 161 Calhoun St., Charleston.”

The Nathaniel Heyward House, which had been located on East Bay Street at Society Street, front (east) elevation and gate.

It was located at East Bay Street at Society Street, front (east) elevation and showing the southeast corner of the building (piazzas). Fence and gate are in the foreground.

The Nathaniel Heyward House located at East Bay and Society Streets.

The empty lot at the northeast corner of Hasell and Anson Streets. Bordered by 44 Hasell Street and 34 Anson Street. The address would have been 46 Hasell Street.