Broad Street (Charleston, South Carolina)

Broad Street is a street in Charleston, South Carolina. It is known for its wealth of historic resources as well as being on the American Planning Association (APA)'s list of "great streets". Broad Street is characterized by its historic architecture maintained through a history of persistent and scrupulous historic preservation. Broad Street today is a mix of residences, historic buildings, public uses, as well as restaurants and nightlife uses.

During the 1700s, the eastern portion of Broad Street was occupied solely by merchants and craftsmen until the "Four Corners of Law" (Federal Courthouse and Post Office, the County Courthouse, City Hall, and St. Michael's Episcopal Church) were built on their respective corners of Broad and Meeting Streets. The collection of buildings transformed Charleston into a legal and financial capital. Towards the east, the 1771 Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon terminates Broad at East Bay Street and creates one of the most picturesque and photographed vistas in Charleston.

West of Legare Street, Broad transitions into a residential setting dominated by a live oak tree canopy, late-nineteenth century frame houses with intimate front yards, and the nine-acre Colonial Lake Park at the corner of Rutledge Avenue, which attracts users throughout the day.

Since 1975, under the leadership of Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., Charleston has adopted numerous downtown plans to protect and enhance Broad Street's unique character. Bluestone sidewalks, palmetto trees, and gas street lights add to the street's irresistible charm. Broad Street's civic buildings are still used for their public purposes because of the careful planning and preservation efforts that have helped them transition into the 21st century.

The Grand Modell of Charleston laid out the streets of the city's peninsula in 1680, including Broad Street as an east-west connector.

Oldest frame structure in Charleston is constructed at 106 Broad St. (1715)

St. Michael's Episcopal Church authorized by Common House of Assembly in 1751

The State House cornerstone laid at the corner of Meeting and Broad Streets in 1756

British siege of Charleston in 1780, destroying many buildings on Broad Street

Wetlands filled in to develop western portion of Broad Street (1792)

Civil War leaves Broad Street in ruins (1865)

Federal Courthouse constructed at the "Four Corners of Law"

Charleston adopts historic district zoning ordinance (1931); proposed by the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings (now called Preservation Society of Charleston)

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