“One of Charleston’s most important and historic commercial addresses. An award winning restoration – 2017.”
1 Broad Street
R&R HISTORY LINK: #16 MEETING STREET
City Directories and History: STATE BANK OF SOUTH CAROLINA BUILDING
Constructed 1853; restored 1978 – Edward C. Jones and Francis Lee, architects
“Jones and Lee, Charleston’s most notable antebellum architectural partnership, designed this three-story brownstone building in the Renaissance Revival style. Damaged by shelling in the Civil War, it was reopened in 1868 for the company of the former blockade runner and Confederate treasurer George Trenholm. The edifice was 
Images from: The Library of Congress – HABS Photo Collection
purchased in 1875 for the Carolina Savings Bank owned by George Williams, builder of the imposing house at 16 Meeting Street. Important exterior features include the curvilinear bay with entry door and engaged portico, and the dissimilar lion-headed keystones above each first- floor window. The
interior lobby was restored when the building returned to bank usage in 1978 and still contains its Rococo Revival style plaster cornice and frieze.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
The Rock Hill Herald reported on Jan. 10, 1903 – “Mr. George W. Williams, has died at the age of 83. He was a banker and one of the richest men in the City of Charleston. With his partner, Daniel Hand he had a very successful grocery, cotton and fertilizer business. He established the Carolina Savings Bank and was head of it until his death.”
Also see the link at 1 Broad Street at the LCDL and ONE BROAD STREET.
Images taken by R&R in Nov. 2015 of the interior spaces uncovered during the months of restoration work. Including fire damage from the Civil War as well as the hole in the roof from a cannon strike.
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
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R&R HISTORY LINK: 268 CALHOUN STREET
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R&R HISTORY LINK: NEARBY HISTORY – COURTENAY AND MORE
R&R HISTORY LINK: NEARBY HISTORY – ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH
R&R HISTORY LINK: NEARBY HISTORY – MILL’S HOTEL BUILDING
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!
IMAGE GALLERY
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- Images taken of the building prior to restoration in 2015
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- Plaster moulding in the first floor, being carefully reserved during the restoration process.
