264 Meeting Street
City Directories and History: COURTENAY SQUARE
Pavilion constructed 1887, station constructed 1887-88
Daniel G. Wayne, architect-builder; Colin McK. Grant, contractor
“On this site a cast-iron pavilion, erected in 1885, covers an artesian well, 1,800 feet deep, that served Charleston residents with pure water, especially during times of yellow fever epidemics. Designs for a small park on this site, named for Charleston’s mayor William Ashmead Courtenay, were altered after the earthquake of 1886, when plans were developed to construct modern fire stations at convenient points in the city rather than repairing the old damaged buildings. The L-shaped Central Fire Station, built in a restrained Italianate Renaissance Revival style with splendid brick detailing, was completed by 1888 at a cost of $14,000. Today the structure houses fire-men and equipment as well as a well-maintained late-nineteenth-century engine, usually visible from Wentworth Street.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
Other sources of interest: Charleston Tax Payers of Charleston, SC in 1860-61 and the Dwelling Houses of Charleston by Alice R.H. Smith – 1917 The HCF may also have additional data at: Past Perfect and further research can be uncovered at: Charleston 1861 Census Schedule or The Charleston City Guide of 1872
Preservation Art at Work: Courtesy of Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art: Rick Rhodes – photographer, Ronald Ramsey artist – preservationist, 2017. (For the last several decades, native Charlestonian Ronald Wayne Ramsey has focused on meticulously documenting historical buildings—particularly those slated for demolition—in his hometown. As old buildings in the historically-minded city become condemned and readied for demolition, he secrets himself inside and liberates various seemingly mundane objects from their impending destruction. Such objects, like hinges, shutter dogs, decorative ironwork, doorknobs, and other ubiquitous building artifacts gain new relevance once they become part of his salvaged collection, which traces architectural styles from Charleston’s rich architectural legacy. Along with these objects, Ramsey creates fastidiously detailed drawings of old building facades in the city. Text from the Ahead of the Wrecking Ball Exhibit – 2017)
Click on the More Information links, found under the primary image to discover additional information about the artist.
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