Charleston

“Charleston County and the city of Charleston, its county seat, are the most historic locations in the state.”

“Charleston County and the city of Charleston, its county seat, are the most historic locations in the state.” Situated in the Lowcountry, the county serves as a popular vacation destination but also relies on the business that results from its port. The area in general serves as a large cultural and economic hub for the state.

Charleston County was founded as Charleston District in 1769, and the district became smaller after some of its lands were used to create Colleton and Berkeley counties. The county and its seat were named after King Charles II.

The city and county are saturated with Revolutionary War and Civil War history. Three signers of the United States Constitution and two famous abolitionists resided in Charleston County, and the Civil War began when soldiers fired shots from the county’s Fort Sumter.

Bobby Branton Photos | Digital Traditions
Bobby Branton Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

For over twenty years, Bobby Branton has honed a skill that is still practiced by very few people across the United States. He is a bladesmith who hand-forges blades for knives in the traditional way...
Charleston County - Harleston-Boags Funeral Home
Charleston County - Harleston-Boags Funeral Home

Photo

In 1917 Harleston organized the first branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( N.A.A.C.P.) in Charleston, and many meetings were held in this building. Prominent...
Charleston County - Jenkins Orphanage Band
Charleston County - Jenkins Orphanage Band

Photo

This building, which was designed by Robert Mills, was constructed in 1833 for the care of sick and disabled seamen. After the Civil War, it became a school for African American children. From 1895 to...
Haut Gap Middle School | American Graduate
Episode 103

Video

Haut Gap Middle School of John's Island doubled its enrollment and went from an "at risk" to "good" SDE rating in just three years. Their secret? Going partial magnet.
Historic Charleston | A Natural State
Historic Charleston | A Natural State

Photo

Historic Charleston is comprised of Charleston and Dorchester counties. Historic Charleston has 73 pre-Revolutionary buildings - 136 from the late 18th century and more than 600 others built prior to...