City Directories and History: ENSTON BUILDINGS
Constructed circa 1860s, 1870s; altered 1940s; rehabilitated 1980s – Also applies to the section at 379.
“William Enston, the furniture magnate whose principal store remains at 187-191 King Street, apparently replaced an eighteenth-century building in the late 1850s with the present structure at 381 King Street completed in the Italianate style. Enston’s estate retained the building for the use of his widow-after his death. Hannah Enston also built the two-story structure to the south in the 1870s. These became part of the legacy used to build the Enston Home at 900 King Street. Passing through numerous remodelings, 381 King Street lost its cast-iron storefront in the late-1940s but retains the arched window hoods on the second story and pedimented window hoods set in blind arches on the front facade of the third story. Although the piazza has been infilled on the first two stories, a remnant on the third tier retains its Tuscan columns. The two- story building at 379 King was built after William Enston’s death and is a small wood structure that retains its second-story Italianate style windows and end brackets flanking a simple entablature.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
Italian Revival style was very prevalent within its period of popularity, more so than the Gothic Revival Style. It was especially dominant in the period from 1855 – 1880. Since it was easily adapted to numerous building forms, it became a popular style for urban and rural residences. The Italianate style is especially identified as the common architectural theme of mid-to late-19th century commercial buildings that lined the main street of many American cities and towns. Italianate buildings display the cornice under widely overhanging eaves, while contiguous Italianate rowhouses or commercial buildings have a bracketed cornice on the front façade. Other markers of the Italianate style are tall, narrow windows, some with elaborate hoods. Most Italianate buildings have columned porticoes or porches, sometimes extending across the full width of the front façade. Courtesy of the Penn Arch. Field Guide – Website
Other resources: Charleston Tax Payers of Charleston, SC in 1860-61, Dwelling Houses of Charleston by Alice R.H. Smith – 1917, Charleston 1861 Census Schedule, 1844 Map of Charleston, 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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