“One of the oldest business locations in Charleston, S.C.”
City Directories and History: SIEGLING MUSIC HOUSE
Constructed circa 1838; exterior rehabilitated and interior altered 1984-85
“John Siegling, a native of Erfurt, Germany, established a music store in 1819, selling harps, pianos, and wind instruments. Moving his business from Meeting Street to King Street, he rebuilt on the site of a building destroyed in the fire in 1838 at the corner of King and Beaufain Streets.
Ad from the Charleston City Directory, ca. 1851-52 for the Joel Ketchum and Orrin Taylor Company
Remaining in business until the early 1970s, the company was advertised as “America’s oldest music house.” The three-story masonry building was remodeled in the mid-nineteenth century and again circa 1900 with the application of Italianate style window hoods and a modillioned cornice with bracketed corners. Acquired in the early-1980s by the present owners, members of a religious order, the structure was renovated and the storefront, with its cast-iron pilasters, was partially renewed.”
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
Reported to be the location of A. F. Brown and Co., in ca. 1860 In 1882 this was also the location of G. Del Guidice dealers in fancy and rare fruits and birds.
In 2015 it is the home of Daughters of St. Paul.
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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