City Directories and History: AMERICAN HOTEL BUILDING
Constructed before 1850; renovated circa 1890-1900; restored 1975 after a fire.
“The owner of extensive real estate in Charleston and Philadelphia, Robert F. Henry held these properties prior to his death in 1846. Henry’s estate probably amalgamated several other buildings on the site to create one of Charleston’s most elegant antebellum facades and one of its finest small nineteenth-century hotels. Although the ground story has seen much alteration, pilasters with
stylized Corinthian capitals remain. The upper-story fenestration is divided by Tuscan pilasters, topped by decorative panels with American eagle and floral motifs, and fronted by engaged cast-iron panels. A roof balustrade caps the building. Descending from Henry to his nieces and nephews, the hotel became the property of Miss Mary Jane Ross of 1 Meeting Street and was included in legal battles over the settlement of her estate. One of Charleston’s most virulent political battles, the 1915 primary race for mayor between incumbent Tristram T. Hyde and John P. Grace, resulted in a tense democratic committee meeting on the second story. With a disturbance at the door, a volley of gunfire caused the death of Sidney Cohen, a young reporter assigned to cover the meeting.” – Information from:The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
In the late 1850’s both Mary Elizabeth White and her brother J. Spratt White stayed at the American Hotel while visiting Charleston from York County, S.C.
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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