For me a house and location like this is best done in any B&W or monochrome style.
This house was grand in it’s day. It still is, but time has taken it’s toll. Ownership remained the same after the US Civil War, however the wealth was gone. The building slowly decayed, and the Hurricanes hitting the Charleston peninsula did not help. Today the home is maintained to conserve the house as it is now. Damage and all.
This has a little more contrast than my usual the light needed it.
1820, Lighting The Stairs
I don’t think converting the lamp to electricity hurt the beauty at all.
Magnolia Cemetery was the first true cemetery in Charleston. Tradition was still strong to be buried in your church grave yard. Elsewhere cemeteries with opulent head stones and mausoleum where popular.
Worn And Weathered
The well known and wealthy citizens of Charleston supported the cemetery, but not enough to be buried there.
The US Civil War was a great equalizer. At the end of the war Charleston, once the wealthiest city in the US, had lost all it’s riches.
Soldiers and sailors were buried here then, and soon after much of the city was joining them.
An important part of documenting the old jail prior to renovations was to capture the building, from the outside, and it’s old brick and stucco facade.
The outside must be completely repaired and covered to pass any inspections. The history will be lost.
Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (3)
What you can’t see is the details of the handmade bricks. Some very sad details. Slave labor made much of the bricks used. Children worked the kilns and their small fingers imprints, from touching the hot brick, can still be found.
Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (3)
Old hand wrought bars and fittings may remain in a few places, but modern safety laws will mostly have there removed, and discarded.
Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (3)
I walk around here and still surprised that there actually where people who managed an escape.
Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (3)
When people were placed here, even for a short time, I don’t know how they survived never mind escape.
Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (3)Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (3)
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Note; The old Charleston Jail is being renovated to be used for commercial purposes. A small group was invited to visit and photograph the historical site before it is gone. This is part of that project.
