Charleston, SC of Yesteryear: Take a Journey Back in Time – 35 Remarkable Images

Broad Street, Circa 1910
Broad Street, Circa 1910

With so much rich history and heritage, we often get swept away in distinguished past of Charleston.  The historic society, carriage tours, walking tours and preserved buildings continue to keep our past as alive as our ghosts.  Yet, sometimes a visual image paints a picture so much more vivid than even our own imaginations and the stories we share.

Take a step back in time with us and enjoy these visual images of Charleston past.  Some are haunting; some soothing, but all with provide you with a piece of the way life in Charleston used to be.

 

 

136 Church Street - Circa 1880
136 Church Street – Circa 1880

 

Flower Seller from 1939 - Photo by National Geographic
Flower Seller from 1939 – Photo by National Geographic

 

Two locals on a stoop in 1962
Two locals on a stoop in 1962

 

Tradd Street - Circa 1910
Tradd Street – Circa 1910

 

Joseph Aiken House - Circa 1880
Joseph Aiken House – Circa 1880

 

St. Michael's Church - Circa - 1910
St. Michael’s Church – Circa – 1910

 

Aftermath of 1938 Tornado hitting Charleston, SC
Aftermath of 1938 Tornado hitting Charleston, SC

 

Newspaper Article - Circa 1885
Newspaper Article – Circa 1885

 

Snow on The Battery in 1899
Snow on The Battery in 1899

 

Cumberland Street - Circa 1865
Cumberland Street – Circa 1865

 

Broad and Meeting Streets 1865
Broad and Meeting Streets 1865

 

City Market - 1939
City Market – 1939

 

W.T. Grant Building, Circa 1950s
W.T. Grant Building, Circa 1950s
Confederate Currency
Confederate Currency

 

Stoll's Alley - Circa 1880
Stoll’s Alley – Circa 1880

 

Berkeley County, 1939 - B.W. Muir Photographer
Berkeley County, 1939 – B.W. Muir Photographer

 

Jenkins Orphanage Band - North Charleston 1914
Jenkins Orphanage Band – North Charleston 1914

 

St. Michael's Church 1865
St. Michael’s Church 1865

 

56 Beaufain Street
56 Beaufain Street

 

Near Francis Marion National Park, 1939 - Photographer B.W. Muir
Near Francis Marion National Park, 1939 – Photographer B.W. Muir

 

Post Earthquake - Broad Street 1886
Post Earthquake – Broad Street 1886

 

Shrimp Peddler and cat - Circa 1930's
Shrimp Peddler and cat – Circa 1930’s

 

Mosquito Fleet, Charleston - 1940
Mosquito Fleet, Charleston – 1940

 

Soldier Portrait - Professional Photo
Soldier Portrait – Professional Photo

 

Spring 1861 - Confederate Soldiers
Spring 1861 – Confederate Soldiers

 

Courtenay School, 1926
Courtenay School, 1926

 

Portrait taken in 1917
Portrait taken in 1917

 

1906 Postcard
1906 Postcard

 

Portrait taken between 1947-1949
Portrait taken between 1947-1949

 

Philadelphia Street, 1866
Philadelphia Street, 1866

 

Early Battery Park
Early Battery Park

 

Cadets, 1891
Cadets, 1891

 

The Heyward-Washington House 1923
The Heyward-Washington House 1923

 

Tent City Charleston - 1886 - Post Earthquake
Tent City Charleston – 1886 – Post Earthquake

We hope you enjoyed this journey down memory lane.

 

 

 

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15 thoughts on “Charleston, SC of Yesteryear: Take a Journey Back in Time – 35 Remarkable Images”

  1. The streets my father ,his father and his fathers father walked on ,went to school sent there children to school. And all the places that they worked , . i do not know what to say ,Its a great city that people love and care about. Charleston gets in your spirit and becomes a part of you . there,s a warm feeling about the city and places you see ,the old buildings cobble street . Offer a feeling of romance one enjoys just walking the streets at night .you can feel the city breath just like you feel your lovers breath. I could go on and on about the city that I love and that has loved me back.About the people that i grew up with who I know feels like I do. One walks the streets and takes on this warm loving feeling I do not know what it is It just is.Carol

  2. Great! As a person who grew up in Charleston (live in Nashville now) it is wonderful to look pictures of where my grandfather (Patrick Carter) more than likely walked and visited as part o his life. Would you have any pictures of 220 and 224 Calhoun Street from the 1940- 50 tie frame.

    Thanks again Carol…Bill Carter

    1. Bill, We would we be happy to do a little research and see if we can uncover any archived photos that meet your requested criteria. Mark

  3. I love seeing the old pictures of Charleston, as it brings back such wonderful memories of when we lived on Church st and St Michael’s Alley … just recall my sisters and I playing hide and seek, and all the friendly people … my uncle took pictures as he lived in Charleston from the late 30s until his death in 2002 … thanks for sharing

  4. I remember the fish carts the shrimp carts & the veggie carts & the ice man delivering ice for the “ice box”. So many good memories being raised in Charleston. West End Dairy delivering milk & leaving it outside by the door. Kids playing kick the can & other games outside. We were always safe outside. Those were the “good ole days” gone forever. I still love my Charleston & always will.

      1. I did as well a couple years back. It is in great condition. Just got the barnacles off of it yesterday.

  5. I also grew up in Charleston. It was nothing to walk from San Souci Street, where we lived and also my Grandmother Maggie Atkins West Cooke- to the battery on a summer day. We would spend lots of time playing at Hampton Park, family picnics and also concerts at the gazebo in the park. . We would sometimes take in a baseball game and I would meet my girlfriends during the summer and take advantage of the clay courts for tennis at the Citadel- when their classes were not in session. Life was simpler then and wonderful memories for ever- it was nothing to walk all over the streets of Charleston- a city were one always felt safe- a time gone by.

  6. My Grandfather, John Henry West worked on Grace Memorial Bridge- and he also died while working on the bridge.

  7. Charleston is always home to me raised in the down town historical section
    of city seeings old pictures just take you to the safe worry free era

  8. I was born in North Charleston, but grew up in the city of Charleston. Left There when I was about 15. I often wished I had never left, Charleston is such a beautiful city. I’ve been told that by many people I have met in my life time.

    Thanks for those pictures, some of the streets I remember. I loved going on field trips as a child, we used to do walking tours. I miss it there and I intend to go back real soon.

  9. LINCOLN Theatre Cashier Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, USA 1930 IS WHERE MY GRANDMOTHER WORKED AS A CASHIER HER NAME WAS BERNICE ELLIOTT

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