Old Market Building
National Register Listing
Street Address:
Front and Screven Streets, Georgetown, SC (Georgetown County)
Alternate Name:
The Rice Museum
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817722001
Description and Narrative:
(The Rice Museum) The Old Market Building is an outstanding example of architecture utilized to serve both the political and economic life of the 19th century. As one of the few remaining brick market buildings in the US with a bell tower and clock, this structure has served as a town hall, a jail, an open-air market, and a slave market. At the time of nomination it served as the Georgetown Rice Museum. Built ca. 1832-1835, this distinguished one-story Classical Revival temple form building was designed to rest on a high arcaded base. The arched area was used as an open air market but was enclosed in the early twentieth century. The front façade of the market is laid in Flemish bond, with the side and rear wall in common or American bond. The tower and market are unified by the belt course encircling them. In ca. 1842 a tower topped by a square stage and an open belfry was added. The tower houses a four-sided clock. Listed in the National Register December 2, 1969.
Period of Significance:
19th century
Area of Significance:
Agriculture;Commerce;Communications;Education;Industry;Politics/Government
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
December 2 1969
