West Point causeway – (Courtesy of author and historian, Peg M. R. Eastman – Hidden History of Old Charleston, History Press – 2010) and the Charleston Museum.
City Directories and History: The West Point Rice Mill is the only one of three antebellum commercial rice mills remaining on the Charleston peninsula. The mill illustrates several distinct periods of history in the City of Charleston: antebellum agricultural processing/distribution; post-World War I civic improvements; New Deal programs; and the military presence before and during World War II. Constructed 1861-1863, it operated sporadically through the Civil War, and afterward until the early 1920s. In 1926, the property was conveyed to the City of Charleston. In 1937, the WPA converted the mill for reuse as a passenger terminal and administrative center for a transatlantic seaplane base. The U.S. flagship carrier, Pan American Airways, had become involved in the project, and the firm of Delano and Aldrich, Architects of New York City designed
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “West Point Rice Mills, Charleston, S.C.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1898 – 1931.
rehabilitation plans for the Charleston Passenger station. Although the project was never completed, substantial alterations were made to the building. The mill is an industrial building constructed of brick laid in Flemish bond, which stands three and one-half stories above the ground floor level. The building is Palladian in its mid-nineteenth century form, with monumental stuccoed pilasters of the Doric order defining the west elevation’s main portico and the slightly projecting pavilions at both end bays of the principal west and east facades. Listed in the National Register January 20, 1995 (Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History)
Also see Wikipedia for additional details.
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 THREAD: Chisholm’s Rice Mill Link
TEXT – NR NOMINATION
NATIONAL REGISTER – IMAGES(S)
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: