It is our mission at Fried Green Tours to provide entertainment, education, and enthusiasm to patrons from near and far. We have gathered 18 years of experience, including renowned author and guide Ed Macy, to give Charleston its most unique tour ever.
Fried Green Tours' guide Ed Macy has been featured on The Travel Channel, The History Channel, HGTV, CNN, BBC, Discovery Channel Europe and Travel & Leisure Magazine. Macy has been a tour guide for fifteen years and developed the very first walking ghost tour in Charleston. He is the author of the best-selling book, “Haunted Charleston.”
Fried Green Tours presents...
A Brief History of Charleston
Founded in 1670 along the shores of the Ashley River, Charleston is a city rich in history. Because of its unique cultural and architectural heritage, the city has attracted visitors since the 18th century. Visiting Charleston is an unforgettable experience that does not disappoint. From the grand antebellum homes of Charleston’s elite to the historic, and thriving, business corridor along King Street, every corner of the city offers the visitor a chance to experience history. Despite having been through periods of great poverty, despite having been affected by the struggles of the American Revolution and the Civil War, and despite experiencing numerous disasters such as hurricanes, fires, and the great earthquake of 1886, Charleston today is a vibrant, growing city that is still able to preserve its historic character.
In 1670, Charleston was established along the west bank of the Ashley River and was moved just ten years later to its current location on the peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Named Charles Town after King Charles II of England, the town prospered throughout the 18th century and became one of the wealthiest ports in the colonies. Although the city was largely comprised of English Anglican settlers, many other groups took advantage of the relative tolerance of the colonial government. French Huguenots, Scots, Germans, and Jewish groups settled in the area. Planters and merchants became wealthy off the production of rice and indigo from nearby plantations. This early prosperity is evident along the streets of Charleston, which are still lined with elegant Georgian homes and grand churches and public buildings from the time period, such as St. Michaels Church and the Old Exchange Building.
During the Revolutionary War, Charles Town was occupied by British forces, but following the defeat of the British, the city changed its name to the present Charleston. The city recovered quickly from the effects of the war, and the city continued to grow. President George Washington even made a tour of the country’s wealthiest southern city in 1791. Many of the city’s architectural treasures were constructed during the antebellum years of the 19th century. Many of the impressive Greek Revival and Italiante mansions built along the Battery were built at this time, including the Robert William Roper House and the J.A.S. Ashe House, and commercial districts along King and Market Streets grew as well.
On April 12 of 1861, Charleston cemented itself as the leader of secession when the firing on Federal Troops at Fort Sumter began the War Between the States. During the next several years, Charleston would experience bombardments, fires, and blockades as a result of the war. Although there was some growth following the war, Charleston lost much of its wealth, and the city did not rebuild itself at the same pace it had prior to the war.
Charleston is a city of firsts. The country’s first public library was established here in 1700, and the country’s first museum was established in 1773. America’s first opera was performed in Charleston in 1735, and The Dock Street Theater, America’s first theater, was opened in 1736. The first fireproof building built in the nation was designed by Charleston’s own Robert Mills in 1822, and the College of Charleston was made the nation’s first municipal college in 1838. In addition to all of these wonderful firsts, perhaps Charleston’s most significant first is its creation of a neighborhood-wide historic district and historic preservation ordinance in 1931. This has led to the preservation of many of Charleston’s historic buildings and sites. Today, Charleston’s historic district is nationally recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, with many of its buildings individually listed as National Historic Landmarks. Because of early efforts such as these, Charleston’s cultural and architectural heritage has been preserved for future generations to experience and enjoy.
College of Charleston
Simply known as “The College” to many Charlestonians and located in the historic neighborhood of Harleston Village, the College of Charleston is one of the oldest colleges in the United States. The college was founded in 1770, making it the 13th oldest in the nation and the oldest south of Virginia. Throughout its history, the college has been closely tied to the history of South Carolina and to the entire nation. During the Revolutionary War, the site of the college was used as housing for William Moultrie’s 2nd South Carolina Regiment, and many founders of the college played pivotal roles in establishing the new nation following the British defeat. Students and visitors alike walk in the footsteps of three signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyward, Arthur Middleton, and Edward Rutledge. Other founders include framers of the Constitution and other political leaders. The College of Charleston became the first municipal college in the country when the City of Charleston began to financially support the institution in 1837. The first classes were held in the house of the first president of the college, Robert Smith, and the first graduates received their degrees in 1794. The college has continued to grow for more than two-hundred years. The construction of Randolph Hall in the Cistern Yard marks the core of the campus. Today, the campus includes several blocks of Harleston Village, and the college uses several historic buildings in the area, such as the Neoclassical William Blacklock House and the Queen Anne style Wilson-Sottile House. The College of Charleston, with its impressive historic buildings, charming brick pathways, and beautiful live-oak trees dotting the campus, continues to delight students and tourists alike as it has for hundreds of years.
Randolph Hall
When the College of Charleston was first founded in 1770, classes were held in the home of the president of the college and also in former Revolutionary War barracks located on the site. In 1828, at the urging of college president Reverend Jasper Adams, a new central building was begun. Today this building is known as Randolph Hall, named after Harrison Randolph, who was president of the college from 1897 to 1945. The central section of Randolph Hall was designed by one of the nation’s leading 19th century architects William Strickland. In the 1850’s Charleston architect Edward B. White designed wings for the building and added a third portico to the main structure. He also designed Porter’s Lodge, or Gate Lodge, which serves as a grand entrance to the Cistern Yard, directly across from the main building. The symmetry of Randolph Hall and Porter’s Lodge, as well as a beautifully designed wall with wrought iron gates, serves to give a sense of enclosure to the core of the campus. This area of the College of Charleston was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971. With its towering live oaks with Spanish moss, charming brick pathways, and the impressive Greek Revival portico of Randolph Hall, this historic and beautifully designed campus is a must-see when visiting Charleston.
The Old Citadel (Currently Embassy Suites))
Anchored on the north side of one of Charleston’s most popular civic spaces, Marion Square, the Old Citadel serves as a reminder of Charleston’s military heritage. The Citadel has been tied to the history of Charleston since the mid 19th century. Originally, the Citadel was intended to be a muster ground for the State Arsenal. Following the revelation of Denmark Vesey’s slave uprising plot in 1822, many Charlestonians, who had grown wealthy from the profits of slave labor, saw a need for an increase in local protection. Their solution was the construction of the Citadel. It was not until 1843 that the Citadel became an educational institution; it was then called the South Carolina Military College. During the Civil War, cadets from the college were known as the “Battalion of State Cadets” and actively served the Confederacy when called upon. Following the war, the Citadel was forced to close by Union forces. However, in 1882, the school reopened, and, in 1910, it was officially given the name of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. In 1922, the Citadel’s campus was moved to a site along the Ashley River. Although the Old Citadel building houses the Embassy Suites hotel today, the fortress-like architecture and exciting surroundings of Marion Square provide a memorable experience for visitors interested in South Carolina’s military history.
King George IV Inn
The King George IV Inn is a charming retreat for Charleston visitors. In addition to its close proximity to the vibrant shopping and dining choices of King Street, the inn provides an historic experience for visitors who wish to stay in a piece of Charleston history. Constructed in 1796 by Elizabeth Robinson, the Federal style house was originally occupied by Peter Freneau, who was editor of The City Gazette and later was secretary of state for South Carolina. The Robinson-Freneau house is a fine example of a type of architecture unique to Charleston, the single house. Charleston single houses are one room wide and generally three rooms deep with a central stair-hall. They often feature double story piazzas, which allow residents to take advantage of the warm Charleston weather. The narrow end of the single house typically faces the street in order to accommodate the narrow lots that are common in historic Charleston. Spending a night in a charming Charleston single house such as the Robinson-Freneau house allows visitors to appreciate the unique architectural heritage that is found across the Charleston peninsula.
Charleston Orphan House
When touring Charleston, visitors might overlook the corner of Calhoun and St. Philip’s Streets. Today the site is taken up by Berry Residence Hall and the Lightsey Center, two 20th century buildings associated with the College of Charleston. However, before the 1950’s, this was the site of the Charleston Orphan House, an important site in Charleston’s history. One of many firsts in Charleston’s history, the Charleston Orphan House was the oldest municipal orphanage in the United States. Established in 1790, the orphanage supported and educated orphaned children and the children of poor or disabled parents. Just one year later, President George Washington visited the orphanage during his tour of Charleston. The permanent building that the orphanage was located in was opened in 1794. It was a large building, and the grounds took up the entire block from Calhoun, then Boundary Street, to Vanderhorst Street. While the orphanage was a public institution, many gifts from Charleston’s elite allowed for the maintenance of the facility. Although the original building has been lost, the site serves as a testament to Charleston’s legacy of caring for orphaned and underprivileged children.
A Brief History of Charleston written by:
Molly Inabinett
Charleston Historian and Preservationist
