William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures
Encyclopedia
William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures is a historic district
in Charleston
, South Carolina
, that contains structures of South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company
and the home of the company's founder, William Aiken
. These structures are considered "nationally significant" in relation to the history of the development of the railroad industry in the United States
.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History states that the structures in this district "represent the best extant collection of antebellum
railroad structures illustrating the development of an early railroad terminal facility."
The railroad company with which they are associated was the first to use steam
from the beginning of its operations, use an American-made locomotive
, and carry U.S. mail. When it began operation in 1833 it had the greatest length of track in the world under single management.
The district was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1963.
.jpg)
Contributing structures in the district include:
Non-contributing structures in the district include:
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
in Charleston
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...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, that contains structures of South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company
South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company
Chartered in 1827, the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company ran scheduled steam service over its line from Charleston, South Carolina, to Hamburg, South Carolina. beginning in 1833. At that time it was the longest railroad in the world...
and the home of the company's founder, William Aiken
William Aiken
William Aiken, Jr. was the 61st Governor of South Carolina. He served from 1844 to 1846.He was the son of William Aiken, the first president of the pioneering South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company. Unfortunately, William Sr. was killed in a Charleston carriage accident and never saw his...
. These structures are considered "nationally significant" in relation to the history of the development of the railroad industry in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History states that the structures in this district "represent the best extant collection of antebellum
Antebellum architecture
Antebellum architecture is a term used to describe the characteristic neoclassical architectural style of the Southern United States, especially the Old South, from after the birth of the United States in the American Revolution, to the start of the American Civil War...
railroad structures illustrating the development of an early railroad terminal facility."
The railroad company with which they are associated was the first to use steam
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
from the beginning of its operations, use an American-made locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
, and carry U.S. mail. When it began operation in 1833 it had the greatest length of track in the world under single management.
The district 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 1963.
- William Aiken House, built in 1807. An octagonal wing added in 1831 but damaged in 1886 earthquake, and certain woodwork was removed in 1931. A servants wing is unchanged.
- A coach house at the back of gardens on the William Aiken House property
- Camden Depot, a railroad depot
- Deans Warehouse, built in 1856
- South Carolina Railroad Warehouse
- Tower Passenger Depot
- Line Street Car and Carpenter Shops
- Railroad Right-of-Way
- "Best Friend of CharlestonBest Friend of CharlestonThe Best Friend of Charleston was a steam-powered railroad locomotive. It is widely acclaimed as the first locomotive to be built entirely within the United States. It also produced the first locomotive boiler explosion in the US.- History :...
" Replica, a replica of the first American-made steam locomotive
- Hughes Lumber Company Warehouse and Martshink Beer Warehouse
- Shed housing the "Best Friend of Charleston" replica locomotive
- Buildings along John Street, King Street and Meeting Street:
- Chicco Apartment Buildings A and B
- 39-4, 39-B, 39-C John Street
- 41-B, 43, 51 John Street
- 424 King Street
- 426 King Street
- 428 King Street
- 434 King Street
- 436 King Street
- 438 King Street
- 460 King Street
- 462 King Street
- 464 King Street
- 466 King Street
- 470 King Street
- 474 King Street
- 476 King Street
- 478 King Street
- 480 King Street
- 484 King Street
- 486-488 King Street
- 490 King Street
- 492 King Street
- Brick building at Meeting Street and Ann Street
- Lilienthal's Stained Glass
- 371 Meeting Street
- 369 Meeting Street
- 365-367 Meeting Street
External links
- William Aiken House website
- William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures, Charleston County (456 King St., Charleston), including 13 photos, at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- South Carolina Railroad-Southern Railway Company, 456 King Street, Charleston, Charleston County, SC: 31 photos, 2 data pages, and related Carriage House, 456 King Street: 2 photos at Historic American Building Survey
- South Carolina Railroad-Southern Railway Company, Camden Depot, Anne Street, Charleston, Charleston County, SC: 4 photos, and related South Carolina Railroad-Southern Railway Company, Warehouse, 42 John Street: 1 photo at Historic American Building Survey