Broad Street, so named because it was the broadest street in Charles Towne, is also one of the most historically significant streets in the nation. Many of the buildings and structures on Broad Street have an interesting tale to tell. Here are just a few of them:
The Four Corners of Law. This is the name given by Robert Ripley, author of "Ripley's Believe It or Not," to the corner of Broad and Meeting streets. St. Michael's Episcopal Church represents canon law, City Hall represents municipal law, the Court House represents state law and the U.S. Court House and Post Office represent federal law.
1 Broad Street. This Italian Renaissance Revival-style building was constructed in 1853 at a cost of $100,000. It received shelling during the Civil War, and cannonballs have been found during renovations. Over the years it has housed several banks.
11 Broad Street. The carved globe, book and scroll centered in the parapet denote the occupation of S.G. Courtenay & Co., Booksellers, the original owners of this 1856 Italianate-style building. In 1912, the E.H. Robertson Cigar Company was located here, and in 1941, it was remodeled and reopened as Robertson's Cafeteria, a meeting place for local political and business leaders.
16 Broad Street. This Classic Revival-style stucco brick structure was constructed in 1817 for use as the Charleston office of the Second Bank of the United States. The bank's charter was drawn up by John C. Calhoun, the seventh Vice President of the United States. Several banks have been housed here over the years.
18-22 Broad Street. The "People's Building," erected in 1910 for $300,000, was considered Charleston's first "skyscraper."
19 Broad Street. Andrew Kerr, a merchant, built this building in 1794. Over the years it housed the Bank of South Carolina, the South-Western Railroad Bank and the offices of the News and Courier. The granite façade was added in 1840. The top portion of the façade fell during the 1886 earthquake.
46 Broad Street. The site of Shepherd's Tavern—known also as Swallow's Tavern, the City Tavern and the Corner Tavern—this building saw many historically important events, including the organization of one of the first Masonic lodges in the United States in 1736, the formation of the first Chamber of Commerce in America in 1773 and the organization of the first Scottish Rite Lodge of Free Masonry in 1801.
60-64 Broad Street. This building's Victorian façade conceals a double tenement built in 1800. First operated as the Carolina Hotel, it was rented in 1867 as the Home for the Mothers, Widows and Daughters of Confederate Soldiers, also known as the Confederate Home. The building also housed the Confederate College, a school for young women, until the early 1920s. The building was damaged in the 1886 earthquake and repaired with donations sent in from all over the country.
116 Broad Street. John Rutledge built this house c. 1763 for his bride, 19-year-old Elizabeth Grimke. Rutledge, a member of the South Carolina Assembly, the Stamp Act Congress, the Continental Congress and the U.S. Constitutional Convention, was "president" of South Carolina from 1776-1778 and governor of the state from 1779-1782. He was also Chief Justice of South Carolina and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, serving a term, albeit unconfirmed, as Chief Justice of the United States. Ownership of the property transferred several times over the years, and when Robert Goodwyn Rhett, mayor of Charleston, owned it, President Taft visited several times. Tradition says Rhett's butler, William Deas, invited she-crab soup there.
118 Broad Street. This is the site of the St. Andrew's Society Hall. The society, founded in 1729, is the oldest in the world. The two-story brick pediment with ionic columns was built in 1814, and the iron fence was added in 1819, the same year President James Monroe visited. Its most historic moment occurred on Dec. 20, 1860, when by unanimous vote a convention adopted the Ordinance of Secession, withdrawing the state of South Carolina from the Union. Ironically, the building was destroyed by fire in 1861 and only the iron fence and flagstone pavement remain of the original structure.
And Broad Street Today
From the steps of the Old Exchange Building, the view down Broad Street paints a picture of both Charleston past and present. Capped on the east end by the Old Exchange, one of the three most historically significant Colonial buildings in the United States, Broad Street has embodied the city's economic hub for more that three centuries.
Broad Street flows seamlessly from business district to center of government to residential neighborhood before curving gently north to follow the peninsula's westernmost shoreline along the Ashley River. Directly to the south of Broad Street lays Charleston's most prestigious downtown neighborhood, featuring more architecturally significant 18th- and 19th-century buildings than any other city in America.
To the north, Broad Street borders the city's famous French Quarter, which was settled as part of the original "Grande Modell" of Charles Towne in 1680. Today this district is famous for its art galleries and note-worthy shops.
A venture down Broad Street is one of the most charming experiences visitors to the city can enjoy. Continuing its traditional role as economic hub, the street is lined with professional offices. In fact, local legend has it that Broad Street in home to more lawyers per square inch than any other place in the world. These lawyers, along with other professionals have hung their shingles above the sidewalks in the same fashion as their predecessors; while banks, insurance agencies, and real estate companies offer their services to locals as in days gone by.
Scattered along today's Broad Street, a number of interesting shops have opened their doors, drawing passers-by in with their unique offerings of clothing, fashion accessories, home décor items, gifts and collectibles. The beauty and character of this street also provides a perfect backdrop for fine art galleries, which offer art connoisseurs originals and prints in a variety of media.
Of course, there's no shortage of dining establishments to assuage the hungry adventurer. Everything from a cup of coffee and a snack, to a casual lunch among the locals, to a full evening dining experience is available on today's Broad Street. And each meal enjoyed there offers a peek inside one of the buildings that make up one of the nation's most historic streets.
Learn about how you can own a piece of history or invest in waterfront and vacation property in Charleston and the Lowcountry. Read our Real Estate section.
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Famous for fresh local fish & seafood, steaks, pastas, chicken, salads, cold beer, great wines and frozen tropical drinks. Daily specials. Southern seafood, sensible prices and a darn good time! Three locations; Historic District, James Island and Mount Pleasant.
Whether you are interested in coming to the Lowcountry for a short stay or looking to make the Charleston area and its surrounding beaches your home, Avocet Properties is the best resource to satisfy your real estate needs. A broad and diverse collection of vacation rentals assures flexibility when planning your visit. Competent, caring, and experienced - some of the qualities that you can count on from our entire staff of dedicated professionals.
Offering three decades of personalized attention in the South Carolina lowcountry. Luxury real estate sales on Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Johns Island, Wadmalaw and the surrounding Charleston area. A leader in luxury real estate sales and vacation rentals for almost three decades. Seasonal vacation rentals or year-round luxury properties for South Carolina coastal living. Highly personalized service, a true commitment to patient, comprehensive representation is our priority.
Broad Street, so named because it was the broadest street in Charles Towne, is also one of the most historically significant streets in the nation. Many of the buildings and structures on Broad Street have an interesting tale to tell. Here are just a few of them:
18-22 Broad Street. The "People's Building," erected in 1910 for $300,000, was considered Charleston's first "skyscraper." 
From the steps of the Old Exchange Building, the view down Broad Street paints a picture of both Charleston past and present. Capped on the east end by the Old Exchange, one of the three most historically significant Colonial buildings in the United States, Broad Street has embodied the city's economic hub for more that three centuries.
Scattered along today's Broad Street, a number of interesting shops have opened their doors, drawing passers-by in with their unique offerings of clothing, fashion accessories, home décor items, gifts and collectibles. The beauty and character of this street also provides a perfect backdrop for fine art galleries, which offer art connoisseurs originals and prints in a variety of media. 
Voted Best Seafood Restaurant by the Charleston Courier and News. With both waterfront and deck dining, it is reported that Charleston Crab House is the perfect family spot.
Famous for fresh local fish & seafood, steaks, pastas, chicken, salads, cold beer, great wines and frozen tropical drinks. Daily specials. Southern seafood, sensible prices and a darn good time! Three locations; Historic District, James Island and Mount Pleasant.
Whether you are interested in coming to the Lowcountry for a short stay or looking to make the Charleston area and its surrounding beaches your home, Avocet Properties is the best resource to satisfy your real estate needs. A broad and diverse collection of vacation rentals assures flexibility when planning your visit. Competent, caring, and experienced - some of the qualities that you can count on from our entire staff of dedicated professionals. 
Offering three decades of personalized attention in the South Carolina lowcountry. Luxury real estate sales on Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Johns Island, Wadmalaw and the surrounding Charleston area. A leader in luxury real estate sales and vacation rentals for almost three decades. Seasonal vacation rentals or year-round luxury properties for South Carolina coastal living. Highly personalized service, a true commitment to patient, comprehensive representation is our priority.
