St. Michael's Church
St. Michael's Church is the oldest church to still reside in Charleston. It was first built in the 1680's for the families of the Church of England but by 1727 the town had grown too big for the Church so a larger one was scaled. This Church played a role during the 17th and 18th century life. George Washington would use this Church as a place for worship when visited in 1791 and many more prominent residents. Its legacy still lives on today for people as a place of worship and ongoing history.
The Exchange and Customs House
One of the significant landmarks of Charleston during the 1770's was The Exchange and Customs House. The house became a main location of revolutionary activities during the war. For example during 1773, Charlestonians stole British goods such as tea during the riots and protests of the Tea Act. The stolen tea was stored and hidden in the house. Another important example was the First Continental Congress selection for the state. South Carolinians who wanted to represent gathered in the house in hopes of being selected for the monumental meeting. The house was used for many purposes over the years, and shows great significance as a historical landmark for the city of Charleston.
The Powder Magazine
The Patriots during the American Revolutionary War had copious amounts of gunpowder needing protection and storage. The Charleston Powder Magazine was the perfect solution for this. Built before the war, the Powder Magazine was constructed of brick and sand. This prevented gunfire or explosions penetrating the surface. During the Siege of Charleston in the early 1780's, the structure was put to great use. With the British closing in on the Patriots, General William Moultrie moved the gunpowder from the Powder Magazine to the Old Exchange. This prevented a major interception of vital gunpowder needed for the battle and war. The Powder Magazine has become a significant symbol of the war.
Transatlantic Slave Trade
At the height of the transatlantic slave trade, Charleston was North America's biggest port of entry. "Nearly 150,000 kidnapped Africans—over 40% of all enslaved Africans trafficked to North America—arrived through Charleston Harbor. As a result, many Black Americans today can identify at least one ancestor who was trafficked through Charleston. (eji)" This journey for African Americans to Charleston was almost non bearable. Some ships that made entry into Charlestons port had lost as much as three fourths of enslaved persons on board. But for some of them the agony would not stop there, those who would survive would at times have to wait on the ship for weeks or longer awaiting auctions. Which resulted in more diseases and deaths and an end result of throwing bodies into the harbor. "About one-third of kidnapped Africans who landed in South Carolina died within a year. (eji)" By 1776, the enslaved black community made up more than 70% of the Charleston population.
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