City Directories and History: WILLIAM RAVENEL HOUSE
Constructed circa 1845
“A two-story portico with Tower of the Winds, Corinthian columns came down in the earthquake of 1886, leaving the front of this large house with an arcaded stucco base and a simple pedimented gable. The original builder, William Ravenel, owner of one of Charleston’s major steamship lines and brother of John Ravenel of 5 East Battery, completed this house by the mid- 1840s. Held until the 1930s by the Ravenel family, who also owned Farmfield Plantation west of the Ashley River, the townhouse has been occupied by only two other families. An exceptionally large drawing room extends across the front of the building. The significant complex of rear dependencies survives.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
———–
William Ravenel, a wealthy shipping merchant (brother and partner of John Ravenel who built 5 East Battery), built this house c. 1845. The builder solved the problem of erecting a large house on a narrow lot by running the porte-cochere under his drawing room. Only the arcaded base remains of the front portico, the giant order Tower of the Wind columns of which were shaken down in the 1886 earthquake and never replaced. After a hurricane in the 1950s, one of the massive capitals was found under an uprooted tree; apparently it had been driven deep into the soil by the force of its fall. The drawing room extends the width of the house and is perhaps the largest in the city. (Thomas, DYKYC, Nov. 20, 1967; Smith & Smith, Dwelling Houses, p.182-183; Stoney, This is Charleston, p. ; Mazyck & Waddell, illus. p.34.) Courtesy of the Charleston Co Library Also see: Charleston Before 1945
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.
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: