Rediscovering Charleston's Colonial Fortifications

From the late 1690s to the mid-1780s, Charleston’s waterfront along the Cooper River was protected by a substantial brick “wharf wall” or “curtain line,” stretching nearly 2,600 feet in length. That wall formed the front line of the town’s defenses, and stood longer than any other part of our colonial-era fortifications. After being continuously repaired and partially rebuilt on several occasions during the early eighteenth century, the brick “wharf wall” was razed to street level in the mid-1780s after the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War. Remnants of the foundation of this wall still exist along the length of East Bay Street, from the Missroon House to the U.S. Custom House, but little information has yet been gathered about its width, height, and precise location.

As part of its mission, the Mayor’s Walled City Task Force is endeavoring to correct these factual shortcomings. Recent archaeology and documentary research is now giving us a better understanding of the old “wharf wall.” The public is invited to learn more about this topic by attending a free lecture, hosted by Dr. Nic Butler, entitled

“Charleston’s ‘Wharf Wall’: Front Line of our Colonial Defenses.”

Time: Wednesday, October 24th 2012, at 6:30 p.m.

Place: Charleston County Public Library, 2nd Floor Classroom

The name “Fort Johnson” is familiar to nearly every resident of the Charleston area, especially those on James Island who live on or near the scenic Fort Johnson Road. Hundreds of people work and study every day at the NOAA’s Hollings Marine Laboratory and Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, the College of Charleston’s Grice Marine Laboratory, MUSC’s Marine Biomedecine and Environmental Sciences Center, and SCDNR’s Marine Resources Research Institute, all of which are located on the grounds of Fort Johnson. But how many people know anything about the history of the old fort itself, which was dismantled more than a century ago? Sadly, few remember that construction on Fort Johnson started at Windmill Point on James Island three hundred years ago—in the year 1708.

Fort Johnson was designed and built in 1708 by Huguenot refugees to protect the English colony of South Carolina from attack by Spanish and French forces. It suffered damage from numerous storms and was entirely rebuilt in 1759. In September 1775 the fort was captured by South Carolina patriots at the beginning American Revolution. In the 1790s Fort Johnson was again rebuilt and again destroyed by storms during the War of 1812. The site was fortified during the Civil War and occupied by Confederate forces until 1865. After the war, the remnants of the fort were allowed to decay as the site became used for other purposes, including a quarantine station for immigrants.

To mark the 300th anniversary of the construction of Fort Johnson, the Charleston Archive and the Mayor’s Walled City Task Force will be presenting a free program at the main branch of the Charleston County Public Library to raise public awareness of this site’s rich history. On Thursday, December 11th 2008, Dr. Nic Butler, manager of the Charleston Archive and historian for the Task Force, will provide an illustrated overview of the fort’s history, and archaeologist Carl Steen, of the Diachronic Research Foundation, will discuss his recent investigations at this important site. Please join us!

Thursday, 11 December 2008
6:30 p.m.
Charleston County Public Library Auditorium
68 Calhoun Street

One of the most common questions that I’m asked at “Walled City” events is “where can I see part of the fortifications that once surrounded Charleston?” Almost equally as common is the question “what’s the story behind that mound of oyster shells standing in Marion Square?” In an attempt to answer both of these questions at one time, I’m offering a program later this month titled “The Horn Work: Charleston’s Tabby Fortress, 1759-1784.” The program will be presented at the Charleston County Public Library on Monday, April 28th at 6:00 p.m., and it’s free and open to the public. We’ll take a look at some historic illustrations of the old Horn Work (including the 1781 map shown above), and try to understand the lone remnant standing in Marion Square as a small part of what was once a large fortress mounting eighteen cannon and surrounded by a moat thirty feet wide. How did the “Horn Work” get its name, and when was it built? When was it demolished, and why does one small piece survive above ground? Has anyone ever searched below ground to find further evidence of its walls? For the answers to these questions, plus many more fascinating details and images, please join the Mayor’s Walled City Task Force at the Charleston County Public Library on the 28th. For more details and a printable flyer (a PDF file), please see our Upcoming Events page. I hope to see you there!