The Calhoun Monument is a very controversial statue dedicated to John C. Calhoun watching over…read moreMarion Square in downtown Charleston. In recent years the statue has gotten a lot of bad press because a lot of folks want to tear down all confederate statues, including this high statue of Calhoun. The statue is actually a very nice, tall statue created with such precision and is quite beautiful actually. So why is this statue so hated and considered a Confederate statue since Calhoun died 11 years before the Civil War began? Let's take a look at who Calhoun was and what he did. The worst thing that Calhoun did was defend slavery; and in the eyes of the North his beliefs and warnings heavily influenced the South's secession from the Union in 1860-1861. But there are a few things about Calhoun that warrants a statue in his honor such as being the 7th Vice President of the United States, Defender of States Rights and Limited Government, and Opposition to High Tariffs that hurt the economy. Sure the guy was somewhat of a dick and so were most white politicians at the time, including those in the North; but history is what it is. We should embrace history not only as heritage, but as a warning of what went wrong and what we can do to avoid it happening again. Let this statue not remind the wrongs of history, but embrace it for a better future.

South Carolina's John C. Calhoun accomplished something very rare in American politics. He was just…read moreone of two individuals that served as Vice President under two different Presidents (John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson). Who was the other you ask? How about George Clinton who served under both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Calhoun was an epic figure in American history, he served in the US House of Representatives, as a Senator, a Vice President, Secretary of War and Secretary of State. He started his career as a supporter of a strong central government, but over the years he became a supporter of states' rights and "nullification" - meaning that states could nullify Federal laws they felt were unconstitutional. A spectacular monument honoring Calhoun stands nearly 4 stories tall in Marion Square, where Meeting Street and Calhoun Street cross. It has a granite base, an enormous granite column and a bronze statue of Calhoun. There are sculpted panels around the base showing scenes of Calhoun at a negotiation table and giving a speech. An inscription on the monument's base reads: 1782 1850 Truth Justice and the Constitution A plaque on the back reads: This monument was erected by the women of South Carolina in 1896 to John Caldwell Calhoun in commemoration of his eminent statesmanship during the many years of his public life. It replaces one formerly on the same spot which proved unsatisfactory. The funds for its construction were raised soon after his death in 1850 by the Ladies Calhoun Monument Association. Its treasurer Mrs. M. A. Snowden having charge of all its assets secured them about her person and thus saved them during the memorable night of the destruction of Columbia South Carolina by Sherman on the 17 February 1865.

The building that stands at 80 Broad St. now was built between 1800 and 1804 to serve as a bank…read more However, the bank failed and by 1818 it had become City Hall. It is a fascinating building and one that most people probably do not think to set foot in for something other than City business. It's really worth the visit. The most famous piece of art is a painting by John Trumbull of George Washington during his visit to Charleston in 1791 -- and, very significantly, Washington's horse. Incidentally, City Hall is part of what Robert Ripley (Yes, folks same Ripley's Believe it or Not! fame) called the "Four Corners of the Law." The four buildings on each corner of Market and Broad represent four different arms of the law- 1. City Hall (local), 2. The Charleston County Courthouse (state), 3. The U.S. Post Office and Federal Courthouse (Federal), and 4. St. Michael's Episcopal Church (ecclesiastical). Admission is free and restroom too ;)

Charleston City Hall is the oldest, continuously used city hall building in the United States. It…read morewas built in 1801 originally as a branch of the National Bank of the United States. It is architecturally beautiful and is open to the public for limited tours of the City Council Chambers which includes beautiful, historic artwork on the walls. There are also very nice public bathrooms on the ground level including a water fountain. Adjacent to the building is Washington Park, a historic centuries old park commemorating President George Washington's visit to Charleston in 1791. Behind City Hall is the South Carolina Historical Society Museum which is absolutely also worth a visit if you are into historic buildings and artifacts.

We came out to the Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge on a cold and blustery winter Sunday. The…read morepark is essentially open whenever it is daylight. If it isn't during the regular park hours Mon-Fri you have to park at the outer parking lot which is about half a mile from the main house. The walk to the house is on a dirt road. The house was closed on the day we visited- it is notable for being one of very few large homes in this area that wasn't destroyed during the Civil War- it dates back to the early 1800s. There is another parking area at the house and a picnic area and public flush bathrooms. On the other side of the home, the property opens up to the marsh and water. It was a bit too windy and cold to go out to that exposed area and they close it off to visitors at certain times to protect the wildlife. Also, it started to rain. So we turned back around and walked back to our car. After we started driving away, we noticed long leaf pine trees in the woods and we stopped to look at those, as well as at the little long leaf pine trees that were sprouting up in the same area. They do controlled burns here which makes the habitat right for these native trees that are no longer too common in our area. It was worth the trip!!

The overall tract of wildlife refuge appears mostly something that you'd explore by boat, but…read moredriving down the dirt road to this little parking lot leads to an abandoned plantation surrounded by classic South Carolina swampland. Remnants of rice fields ring the mansion, leading to an interesting aesthetic experience even though I missed when the building was actually open. I can confirm that in the winter there wasn't much in the way of biting insects and the alligators I was warned of did not materialize. Probably hiding. I'm guessing in warmer weather the area has significant challenges, though you should expect this anywhere in the swampy parts of the lowcountry. As with any wildlife refuge, the priority isn't visitor experience, but for a free and interesting landscape to wander, it has some intrigue.

If you've been to Sullivan's Island, you've likely traveled over the Ben Sawyer Bridge. It is a…read moredrawbridge, and it even has a pedestrian lane so you can walk, run, or bike to the beach. If you've seen the iconic photo of the tilted, off-center bridge after Hurricane Hugo, this is that bridge, and that photo is a reminder of just how powerful hurricanes are. I really love the pedestrian lane, and it's quite a scenic run route that I recommend for anyone visiting Mount Pleasant, Charleston, or Sullivan's Island- or any locals just looking to be healthier. It's a two lane bridge, so during the summer months, biking or running might even be faster.

One of South Carolina's drawbridges, this one is a swing bridge. There aren't too many of these,…read morebut I managed to see the Little River Swing Bridge near Myrtle Beach a few days ago. Where "leaf" or "bascule" bridges have a movable span that lifts, a swing bridge turns on an axis to clear the channel and allow boats to pass. It carries South Carolina 703 across the Sullivan's Island Narrows between Mount Pleasant and Sullivan's Island. Named after the Chief Highway Commissioner of the South Carolina Highway Department who served from 1926 to 1940, the bridge was originally constructed in 1945 and updated in 2010. The bridge is a single lane of traffic in each direction with a single pedestrian lane on the western side. There is no toll to cross the bridge. [Review 19449 overall - 1023 in South Carolina - 419 of 2023.]

Sitting in Marion Square in the corner where Calhoun St. meets Meeting St. is a monument that at…read morefirst look kind of looks like a strange structure of iron fencing with a large Jewish prayer shawl, tallit, occupying space in the middle inside of the structure. Upon closer observation you realize this is a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. From looking like a strange monument to a beautiful monument after realizing what the monument is and getting a closer look at the monument and the plaque and being able to read what the plaque says. "The denial of Human Rights with advanced technology and A pitiless will to dominate, caused the death of innocent millions and the annihilation of most of the Jews of Europe."

First, I want to give Mike M. props for being the first to review the Charleston Holocaust…read moreMemorial. Without his review, it would've never been on my radar and I would not have visited. In fact, I didn't even realize Charleston had a Holocaust Memorial. Turns out, I'd passed by this memorial many times and never slowed down to pay attention. I was downtown this past Sunday and decided to do just that when I visited the memorial. With the recent events and violence in the news, along with the death of Elie Wiesel, it was good to pause and remember the Holocaust victims as well as those who survived. I'd encourage everyone in Charleston to visit and spread the word about this memorial. This area has a large Jewish population, but I'm sure many residents don't know about it and would like to visit and remember.

Located in the neighborhood, it points out some of the history of this strategic and industrious…read morehub that shaped Charleston's military and economic history. The front reads, "Haddrell's Point extended along the waterfront from Shem Creek to Cove Inlet and was named for George Haddrell, an early settler. The land bordering Shem Creek became home to important industries including factories, canneries, and rice and saw mills. The mills drew their power from the tides of Shem Creek." And the reverse, "In early 1776, a battery was erected at Haddrell's Point and placed under the command of Brigadier General John Armstrong. The strategic location of the battery was vital in safeguarding Charleston from British attacks. With ceremonial fanfare, President George Washington embarked from Haddrell's Point to Charleston, during his Southern tour in 1791." But in 1775, before that battery mentioned on the marker was completed, Colonel William Moultrie was ordered to construct a fascine battery at Haddrell's Point. Fascines--bundles of sticks used to reinforce earthworks--were employed to quickly build a 58-foot-long fortification armed with four 18-pound cannons. This battery was completed overnight by 200 men under Major Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, who worked under cover of darkness to avoid British fire. The battery's success was immediate. It helped drive off the HMS Tamar and HMS Cherokee, which had been anchored in Charleston Harbor. And during the Civil War, the site of the original fascine battery was repurposed for the Mount Pleasant Mortar Battery and Battery Gary, continuing its legacy as a defensive stronghold. The marker was erected in 2007. There is no sponsor listed on it. There is street parking nearby if you're inclined to visit the site of the original battery. [Review 1409 of 2025 - 1353 in South Carolina - 24961 overall]

You need to walk inside and check this building out. Its ok to enter during the week during normal…read morework hours. and stay or cut through to the rear. It is amazing.General public is allowed on the main floor only. DAB

Located in historic Charlestown downtown, the United States Custom House was completed in 1879 and…read moreis one of only several historical custom buildings that continues to serve its original purpose. Historically, a custom house was a building that served as a port of entry into a country, where government officials regulated commerce and collected shipping taxes. By the mid-1800s, Charleston had become one of the busiest port cities in the country and the US Customs Service had outgrown its headquarters in the old exchange building. Nowadays the building is open to the public on weekends and used for special events like outdoor concerts. it's near to rainbow row or Charleston City market

Views 12/10. Traffic in the summer 5/10. Bike lane 8/10…read more It's a gorgeous bridge, my favorite in South Carolina. I would personally feel uncomfortable walking or biking across just because of all of the traffic, but there are plenty of people who do this!

This was just a cool place that we drove over on our way to the beach. It was a clear day, so we…read morewere able to see all around us.