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.
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.
The jail was built in 1802. By design it was meant to be intimidating, to serve as a warning. And for good reason since given the history this may have been one of the most brutal places in the US. It was closed in 1939 for being ‘inhumane’. Up to 10,000 people may have perished here over the years.
Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (2)
Towers were removed in the late 1800’s after Charleston had a large earthquake. Other buildings, including the workhouse (a place that made the jail itself pale in comparison) have been torn down over time.
Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (2)
The court of the jail has it’s own history. Execution by hanging was common. Since the jail is surrounded by old houses there were spectators for the executions.
During the Civil War the court yard was used to house prisoners from the 54th Massachusetts regiment. This was a famous African American unit that was kept here because the Union Army wanted them returned as prisoners of war. The Confederate States considered them runaway slaves. The unfortunate soldiers were here until the end of the war.
Old Charleston Jail, A Finale (2)
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.
Poet Henry Timrod, Memorial Day 1866, at Magnolia Cemetery
'Stoop, angels, hither from the skies!
There is no holier spot of ground
Than where defeated valor lies
By mourning beauty crowned!'
