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 Former First Bank of the United States Branch - Charleston, SC Posted by:  iconions
N 32° 46.589 W 079° 55.844
17S E 600139 N 3627014
This Former First Bank of the United States Branch, now City Hall is located on the northeast corner of Broad Street and Meeting Street.
Waymark Code: WMVDHD
Location: South Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 04/05/2017
Views: 2
Charleston SC City Hall
The CITY HALL (Council Chamber containing works of art open 9-6 Mon.-Fri., 9-1 Sat.), NE. corner Broad and Meeting Sts., designed by Gabriel Manigault and built about 1802 as a branch of the Bank of the United States, was bought by the city in 1818. The picture gallery, second floor front, was acquired through the local custom of commissioning artists to paint portraits of famous visitors. John Trumbull's valuable Portrait of George Washington, made during the President's triumphal tour of 1701, shows him without wig or false teeth and is accepted as one of the best likenesses of his later years. Other notable items are the Charles Fraser Miniature of La Fayette, a Portrait of James Monroe by S. F. B. Morse, and a Vanderlyn Portrait of President Andrew Jackson in uniform after the Battle of New Orleans. Paintings in the mayor's office include an early picture of the city's volunteer fire company in full uniform.
- South Carolina : a guide to the Palmetto state, 1941, pg. 201
Charleston's City Hall building was constructed between 1800 and 1804 in the Adamesque style. In 1800 the City Council conveyed this parcel to the Federal government for the purpose of erecting "an elegant building" that would serve as a branch of The First Bank of the United States. Charleston's branch was one of eight in the country, serving as the Office of Discount and Deposit. The design is attributed to Charlestonian Gabriel Manigault, a gentleman architect credited with introducing the Adamesque style to the city after studying in Europe. City Hall's semi-circular projection on the north side and round basement windows are characteristic features of Manigault. The white marble trim is believed to have originated in Italy before it was cut in Philadelphia. The original red brick walls offered a striking contrast to this marble trim before the walls were covered with stucco in 1882. The building was constructed by local carpenters Edward Magrath and Joseph Nicholson and mason Andrew Gordon. In 1811, the bank's charter was revoked by Congress, after which the property was conveyed back to the City of Charleston and became City Hall in 1818.
This site was originally set aside as a public market within the Civic Square of the Grand Modell, the 17th-century plan of the city. A beef market stood here from 1739 until it was destroyed by fire in 1796. This central intersection is now called "Four Corners of the Law," as the four buildings surrounding it reflect four arms of law--ecclesiastical, state, federal and City Hall's municipal law.
The original interior entrance hall was significantly altered in 1839 to create additional space on the second floor. In 1882, a new roof was added, the interior completely modified, and the brick stuccoed. The council chamber on the second floor remains the center of city government. City Hall is one of more than 1400 historically significant buildings within the Charleston Old and Historic District.
- NPS.gov: Historic Religous & Community Buildings
Address:
80 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401-0304
Year: 1800-1804
Website: [Web Link]
Current Use of Building: Charleston City Hall
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