Hibernian Hall
Encyclopedia
Hibernian Hall in Charleston, South Carolina
, United States
, is located at 105 Meeting Street, just north of the intersection of Meeting and Broad Street, more commonly referred to as the "Four Corners of the Law
". The building was constructed in 1840 by Thomas U. Walter of Philadelphia in the Greek Revival style, with six giant-order Ionic columns supporting the pediment. The building is home to the Hibernian Society
, an Irish benevolent society.
Hibernian Hall is the only remaining building associated with the Democratic National Convention
of 1860, one of the most critical political gatherings in United States history. The building served as convention headquarters for the faction of the Democratic Party
supporting presidential candidate Stephen A. Douglas
. The first floor was used as a meeting space, and the second floor as living quarters for the delegates, who slept on hundreds of cots set up for the occasion. No one Democratic candidate could garner sufficient support, and the party's divisiveness led to the election of the Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln
.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1973.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History summary is here.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, is located at 105 Meeting Street, just north of the intersection of Meeting and Broad Street, more commonly referred to as the "Four Corners of the Law
Four Corners of the Law
The Four Corners of the Law is a term commonly used to refer to the intersection of Meeting and Broad Streets in Charleston, South Carolina. The term was coined in the 1930's by Robert Ripley, creator of Ripley's Believe it or Not!. , constructed between 1752 and 1761, stands on the southeast...
". The building was constructed in 1840 by Thomas U. Walter of Philadelphia in the Greek Revival style, with six giant-order Ionic columns supporting the pediment. The building is home to the Hibernian Society
Ancient Order of Hibernians
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is an Irish Catholic fraternal organization. Members must be Catholic and either Irish born or of Irish descent. Its largest membership is now in the United States, where it was founded in New York City in 1836...
, an Irish benevolent society.
Hibernian Hall is the only remaining building associated with the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
of 1860, one of the most critical political gatherings in United States history. The building served as convention headquarters for the faction of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
supporting presidential candidate Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and was the Northern Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate contest following a famed...
. The first floor was used as a meeting space, and the second floor as living quarters for the delegates, who slept on hundreds of cots set up for the occasion. No one Democratic candidate could garner sufficient support, and the party's divisiveness led to the election of the Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1973.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History summary is here.
External links
- Hibernian Hall, Charleston County (105 Meeting St., Charleston), with 5 photos, at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- Historic Charleston's Religious and Community Buildings, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary