The Charleston Jail was opened in 1802 when the prisoners well being was not all that important.
Jail Cells, 1800’s – click to enlarge
The third floor in the image above held the prisoners considered dangerous. Each cell held men, women, and children in an area about 12×12.
Jail Cells, 1800’s – click to enlarge
A small coal fireplace in one corner provided some heat in the winter.
Jail Cells, 1800’s – click to enlarge
Each floor held a different type of prisoner. The first floor was for guards, supplies, and special people of Charleston society. Second floor was a debtors prison, third for long term inmates.
Jail Cells, 1800’s – click to enlarge
The only personal hygiene considerations was a communal bath on the first floor for the removal of lice.
Jail Cells, 1800’s – click to enlarge
Light and fresh air came from an air shaft center of the building.
Most structurally sound old historical buildings in Charleston have been restored. This manor has not and still displays the damage from hurricane Hugo, 1989.
Not All Are Restored – click to enlarge
These photographs are from a walk through of the Akin buildings and properties in Charleston, South Carolina.
Not All Are Restored – click to enlargeNot All Are Restored – click to enlargeNot All Are Restored – click to enlargeNot All Are Restored – click to enlargeNot All Are Restored – click to enlargeNot All Are Restored – click to enlarge
In the 1800’s when this old building was constructed confinement was based on steel bars. Every hall, door, stair well, and little corner is behind at least one set.
Old Jail Building Bars – click to enlarge
A hall may have been open, but each end is blocked and every door is wood and steel, with more bars when opened.
Old Jail Building Bars – click to enlargeOld Jail Building Bars – click to enlarge
Windows of course were blocked but the steel was not always the rolled bars I expected.
Old Jail Building Bars – click to enlarge
Besides local criminals the old jail housed captured pirates. Apparently there were still pirates off the coast here in the early 1800’s.
Charleston has a history of pirates. The famous Captain William Teach blockaded the harbor and took prisoners for ransom. he was paid with medicine. Captain Teach is also known as Blackbeard.
We do have a pirates alley, a pirate house and court yards that served merchants with ‘goods’. And Blackbeard is said to have buried is treasure here (as well as every other town along the US southern coast).
Makes great storied on the tours, but most likely a few pirates at the end of their years were caught here. Blackbeard, he never got off the ship, stayed in the harbor, and had his head removed shortly after leaving here.
