South Carolina Department of Archives and History |
National Register Properties in South Carolina U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, Charleston County (83 Broad St., Charleston) |
Facade Central Block (Broad St.) |
Right Oblique | Left Oblique | Left Elevation (Meeting St.) |
Left Rear Oblique |
Rear Elevation |
By virtue of its location on the “Four Corners of the Law” the United States Post Office and Courthouse in Charleston is an important structure. A 1792 courthouse represents county government, while the City Hall, begun in 1800, symbolizes city government. St. Michael’s Church, built between 1752 and 1761, depicts ecclesiastical law. Completing the foursome is the 1896 Post Office, representing the federal government. Although nearly a century separates them, the Renaissance Revival structure is compatible with the three earlier buildings, and is an appropriate expression of the late nineteenth century. The architect for the building was Will A. Freret, who served as Supervising Architect of the Treasury in 1887 and 1888. Built of Winnsboro granite, the Post Office borrows elements from various Renaissance Revival styles. Dark and light stone heightens the contrast between the rusticated basement and first floors and quoining, and the smoother wall surfaces of the two upper stories. The main façade is broken into five advancing and receding planes. A pedimented central block denotes the main entrance. Listed in the National Register August 13, 1974.
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