City Directories and History: S. G. COURTENAY & CO. BOOKSTORE BUILDING (see #11 Broad Street)
Constructed 1856; altered early-1900s; rehabilitated 1985 – Edward Bricked White, architect; David Lopez, contractor
*** David Lopez was the father of builder John H. Lopez, who conducted business separately as a builder – contractor. The S.C. Artisans Database lists one David Lopez as also a “sash and door” manufacturer, age 40 in 1850.
“Designed in the Italianate style by Edward Brickell White for Samuel Courtenay’s large bookstore, the curvilinear parapet still bears a carved brownstone relief of globe, scroll, and books. The first-floor facade was altered in the early-twentieth century, and the building served for many years as a popular dining establishment for Broad Street lawyers. In a 1985 rehabilitation the original doorways and arches with surmounting console brackets were restored in cast brownstone.
Broad Street looking West in ca. 1911 – Courtesy of the Shorpy Archives Collection – Not for distribution or reprint.
The two smaller buildings to the east are also products of the mid-1850s and are similar in style and materials. They also retain second-floor offices with original woodwork and other Victorian decorations. 7 Broad Street was probably an earlier building that was renovated for the brokers William M. Martin and John C. Martin. 9 Broad Street, a narrow one-bay, two-story structure, was built by William Pinckney Shingler and his brother, “exchange brokers” in cotton. Edward B. White designed this building in the Italianate style; it has a brownstone facade executed by W. G. Chave and is anchored to the brick walls of adjacent structures. Shingler built the houses at 9 and 10 Limehouse Street in 1857 and 1858, respectively. The small structure immediately to the west, 13 Broad Street, may once have related to the rest of these structures, but its facade was altered to red pressed brick in the Victorian, Queen Anne style in the 1890s for the office of attorney Henry Conner.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
Other sources: Charleston Tax Payers of Charleston, SC in 1860-61, Dwelling Houses of Charleston by Alice R.H. Smith – 1917, Charleston 1861 Census Schedule, and a 1872 Bird’s Eye View of Charleston, S.C. The Hist. Charleston Foundation may also have additional data at: Past Perfect
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
R&R HISTORY LINK: NEARBY HISTORY – STATE BANK BUILDING
R&R HISTORY LINK: NEARBY HISTORY – OLD SLAVE MARKET
R&R HISTORY LINK: ANOTHER CONNECTION
R&R HISTORY LINK: NEWRY MILL CONNECTION
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: