Old Charleston Jail

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Old Charleston Jail
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Location21 Magazine Street, Charleston, South Carolina
Coordinates 32°46′42″N79°56′13″W / 32.77833°N 79.93694°W / 32.77833; -79.93694
Governing bodyU.S. National Park Service
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Location of the Old Charleston Jail in South Carolina
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Twenty-One Magazine event venue

The Old Charleston Jail is a site of historical and architectural significance in Charleston, South Carolina. Operational between 1802 and 1939, it held many notable figures, among them Denmark Vesey, Union officers during the Civil War, high-seas pirates. The Old Charleston Jail went through a tremendous renovation starting in 2016. It is now one of Charleston's premier event venues.

Contents

Luxury Renovation

Full Renovation

In 2016, Landmark Enterprises purchased the Old Charleston Jail and transformed it into a premier event venue now known as Twenty-One Magazine. This remarkable transformation has turned a once deteriorating building into a luxurious and sought-after space for exclusive weddings and corporate events. The renovation process meticulously preserved the building's rich historical features while introducing modern elegance, resulting in a venue that seamlessly blends the old with the new.

The venue is distinguished by its expansive outdoor event space, one of the largest on the Charleston Peninsula. This picturesque setting, combined with the meticulously manicured grounds, provides an exquisite backdrop for any occasion. No expense was spared in the renovation, ensuring that every detail—from the architectural restoration to the contemporary amenities—exudes sophistication and class.

For those interested in hosting an event at this unique location, Twenty-One Magazine offers a distinct and unforgettable experience. Inquiries can be directed to TwentyOneMagazine.com.

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Twenty-One Magazine

History

The Old Charleston Jail was originally located on a four-acre parcel set aside for public use in 1680, at the time of Charleston's earliest settlement. Operating as the Charleston County Jail from 1802 until 1939, it housed Charleston's most infamous criminals, and Federal prisoners of war during the Civil War. [1] When the Jail was constructed in 1802 it consisted of four stories, topped with a two-story octagonal tower. Charleston architects Barbot & Seyle were responsible for 1855 alterations to the building, including a rear octagonal wing, expansions to the main building and the Romanesque Revival details. This octagonal wing replaced a fireproof wing with individual cells, designed by Robert Mills in 1822, five years earlier than his notable Fireproof Building. The 1886 earthquake badly damaged the tower and top story of the main building, and these were subsequently removed. [2]

The Old Jail housed a great variety of inmates. John and Lavinia Fisher, and other members of their gang, convicted of highway robbery in the Charleston Neck region were imprisoned here in 1819 to 1820. Some of the last 19th-century high-seas pirates were jailed here in 1822 while they awaited hanging. The Jail was active after the discovery of Denmark Vesey's planned slave revolt. Although the main trials were held elsewhere, four white men convicted of supporting the 1822 plot were imprisoned here. Tradition holds that Vesey spent his last days in the tower before being hanged, although no extant document indicates this. William Moultrie, General during the American Revolution and later Governor of South Carolina, allegedly spent a short time in debtor's prison at the Jail.

During the Civil War, Confederate and Federal prisoners of war were incarcerated here. Most notably were numerous African American soldiers from the 54th Massachusetts Regiment captured after their assault on Fort Wagner in July 1863.

It is one of more than 1400 historically significant buildings within the Charleston Old and Historic District. [2] In 1965, the city zoning board approved its use as a museum and gift store. [3]

Notable Inmates Tours

Tours

Tours of the Old Charleston Jail have been available since 2003, and the Jail has become popular with tourists as well as on television. It has been featured in a variety of television shows including Travel Channel, [4] Food Network, [5]

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Denmark Vesey was a free Black man and community leader in Charleston, South Carolina, who was accused and convicted of planning a major slave revolt in 1822. Although the alleged plot was discovered before it could be realized, its potential scale stoked the fears of the antebellum planter class that led to increased restrictions on both enslaved and free African Americans.

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The South Carolina State Arsenal in Charleston, South Carolina was built in 1829 in response to the alleged 1822 slave revolt led by Denmark Vesey. The alleged uprising never came to fruition and Vesey was publicly hanged in 1822. In 1842 the South Carolina Military Academy, a liberal arts military college, was established by the state legislature, and the school took over the arsenal the following year as one of 2 campuses, the other being the Arsenal Academy in Columbia, South Carolina. The school became known as the Citadel Academy because of the appearance of its building. From 1865 to 1881, during Reconstruction, Federal troops occupied the Citadel, and the school was closed. Classes resumed in 1882 and continued in this building until the school was relocated to a new campus on the banks of the Ashley River in 1922.

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References

  1. "The Old City Jail of Charleston". Discovercharleston.com. 2004-07-08. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
  2. 1 2 3 "Old Jail". Nps.gov. Retrieved 2012-07-17.
  3. Counts, Henry O. (May 21, 1975). "Jail Renovation Gets Zoning Okay". Charleston, South Carolina: News and Courier. p. 5B.
  4. "Home". Travel Channel. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  5. "Home". Food Network. Retrieved October 26, 2019.

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