U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
National Register Listing
Street Address:
83 Broad St., Charleston, SC (Charleston County)
Alternate Name:
Post Office
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817710080
Description and Narrative:
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.
Period of Significance:
1896;20th century
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Community Planning and Development;Architecture
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
August 13 1974
