10 “Firsts” in the United States that occurred in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, is known for several historical “firsts” in the United States:

• First permanent English settlement in South Carolina: Established at Albemarle Point in Charleston in 1670 (Charles Town)
• Phillips Episcopal Church Parsonage Provincial Library in Charleston, South Carolina, was founded in 1698. It was the first public lending library in the American Colonies.
• February 8, 1735 — The first opera performed in the Colonies opened today in Charleston, South Carolina. A ballad opera entitled, Flora: Or Hob in the Well, debuted at the New World Theatre.
• First building used solely as a theatre: The Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, constructed in 1736.
• First public museum: The Charleston Museum, organized on January 12, 1773.
• First municipal college: The College of Charleston, opened on April 1, 1838.
• First golf club in America: The South Carolina Golf Club, formed in 1786.
• Built between 1822 and 1826, The Fireproof Building was the first fireproof building built in our nation’s history. At that time, Charleston had already had three major fires, and two more were yet to come! This building was designed by famed architect, and Charleston native, Robert Mills.
• The Best Friend of Charleston made its inaugural run on Christmas Day, December 25, 1830. On that day, it pulled a passenger train along a six-mile route. With this, the Best Friend of Charleston became the first American-built steam locomotive to haul a train of passenger cars on a public railroad.
• First Spoleto Festival: Held in Charleston, SC in May 1977. Spoleto Festival USA was founded in 1977 by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, Christopher Keene, and others who sought to create an American counterpart to their annual Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy.

These events highlight Charleston’s significant contributions to American history and culture.

Additional Resources if you want to learn more:

• South Carolina Historical Firsts – SCPRT 
• South Carolina – Firsts – SCIWAY 
• 14 of Charleston’s Firsts & Oldest – Explore Charleston Blog 
• History | Charleston, SC – Official Website 

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Map of Charles Town