City Directories and History: JOHN SMITH HOUSE AND OFFICE
Constructed circa 1787; storefront circa 1830; restored 1970s
“John Smith’s house and office remains Broad Street’s best example of an early-nineteenth-century wood storefront. Fluted pilasters between the windows supporting an entablature and similar details flanking the principal door architrave punctuate the first floor. An early wrought-iron balcony with interlocking guilloche patterns ornaments the second floor. Restored in the 1970s, the building, with its early storefront facade as well as surviving architectural details of its upper-story residence, illustrates the mixed use of the buildings in this area prior to the mid-nineteenth century. Although its storefront has been lost, the neighboring contemporary building at 35 Broad Street retains its original residential upper floors with a surmounting Palladian windowed dormer projecting from the hip roof. Similar fenestration at the circa 1792 building at 37 Broad Street was altered after the Civil War with scored stucco treatment and metal cornices and window surrounds.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
The firm of Leitch and Bruns operated here in 1872. Also see the John Smith House link at the LCDL.
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
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