Historic Information for Charleston Tour Guides, 1964–1985

Creator	Charleston (S.C.). Historical Commission
Date	1964–1985
Physical description	0.5 linear feet
Preferred Citation	[Identification of the Specific Item], Historic Information for Charleston Tour Guides, Charleston County Public Library, Charleston, SC.
Repository	The Charleston Archive
Compiled By	Processed 2009, K. Gray.
Access to materials	Collection is open for research.
Subject Headings	Charleston (S.C.)--History--Handbooks, manuals, etc. Tour guides (Persons)--Training of--South Carolina--Charleston Historic buildings--South Carolina--Charleston
	Portions of this collection have been digitized and are available online.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of four manuals for tour guides of Historic Charleston, including: Lectures for Guides (1964), Lectures for Guides (1973), Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1975), and Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1985).

Lectures for Guides (1964) is a collection of individual lectures on topics germane to Charleston historic tourism, as well as a subject outline and general introduction to Charleston history. The lectures are primarily focused on specific streets and the historic buildings found thereon, but also include information about harbor forts, botanical information, historic markers, and miscellaneous data. The lectures are heavily annotated by the original owner, Elizabeth Stallworth, and contain newspaper clippings and other ephemera. Each lecture is individually paginated.

Lectures for Guides (1973) is an updated version of the Lectures for Guides (1964). The majority of the information remains the same, however the 1973 version also contains: an expanded introduction, copy of the Crisp map, overview of the Streets of Charleston, more complete sections on Ansonborough and Broad Street, and more miscellaneous data. The lectures are annotated by Elizabeth Stallworth and contain newspaper clippings and other ephemera. Each lecture is individually paginated.

Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1975) is a reworking of the earlier Lectures for Guides. The information provided is more extensive than in the previous incarnations and covers a greater range of subjects. The differences include: essays on various historical topics, historic suburbs section, and expanded Streets section. The guide is lightly annotated by Elizabeth Stallworth and contains some ephemera. The information is presented as a unified text with continuous pagination.

Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1985) is the most recent version of the city's handbook for historic tour guides. This version retained several of the essays from the 1975 edition, but also has several others on topics such as black Charlestonians, historic preservation, and conservation easements. Citation information is given for most of the entries, and a bibliography is provided. This is an incomplete copy, as it is missing the section covering individual streets and structures.

 

Administrative/Biographical History

In 1952 and 1954, the Historical Commission presented a series of lectures for guides of historic Charleston. At the conclusion of each course, an examination was given, which could lead to official tour guide accreditation. Examinations were also given in years in which the course was not available, including 1955 and 1956.¹ When the course was once again offered in 1964, it was taught using materials compiled from the notes of Mary A. Sparkman, longtime secretary of the Historical Commission.

In 1972, City Council decided it was time once again to provide an instructional course for historic tour guides. This eight-week course was scheduled for 01 January to 28 February of 1973. Marguerite C. Steedman was chosen as the instructor, with Mrs. Joseph R. Young assisting. In addition to teaching the course, Ms. Steedman also updated the instructional materials previously used. Initially, the Special Committee appointed to study this topic suggested that all individuals wishing to receive a tour guide license must take the course and pass the terminal examination. After further consideration, Council agreed that anyone having successfully completed the course in its previous incarnations should still attend at least 80 percent of the course sessions, but need not take the final exam. ²

In 1975, the Commission on Arts and History was formed, superseding the Historical Commission. In that year, the new commission requested an updating and reprinting of the notes for historic tour guides, to which City Council agreed. Robert P. Stockton updated the materials and gathered them into one cohesive text. The City of Charleston Tourism Commission requested a further update in the spring of 1984. Mr. Stockton once more served as editor on the project, with contributions by Elizabeth H. Alston and Mary Martha Blalock. This text, completed in 1985, still serves as the educational material for tour guides of historic Charleston.³

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¹ Records of the Historical Commission of Charleston, 1933–1956. Annual Reports. Mss collection at the Charleston Archive, Charleston County Public Library.

² Journal of the City Council of Charleston, South Carolina 1971–1975. pp. 183, 186, 259.

³ Information for Guides of Historic Charleston. Introduction. 1985.

 

Related Archival Materials

Records of the Historical Commission of Charleston, 1933–1956

 

Acquisition

This is an artificial collection created by the staff of the Charleston Archive. The Lectures for Guides (1964), Lectures for Guides (1973), and Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1975) were originally owned by Elizabeth Stallworth, who donated them to Jane Thornhill. Ms. Thornhill then transferred the materials to the Charleston Archive at the Charleston County Public Library. To these materials was added Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1985), which was already in the possession of the Charleston Archive.

 

Collection Outline

Folder 1: Lectures for Guides (1964) [# of pages]

Outline [8]

Introduction [9]

Anson St. [1]

Archdale St. [5]

Ashley Ave. [3]

Atlantic St. [1]

Beaufain St. [2]

Broad St. [7]

Calhoun St. [8]

Cannon St. [1]

Chalmers St. [4]

Church St. [6]

Columbus St. [1/2]

Coming St. [1/2]

Cumberland St. [2]

East Battery [2]

East Bay St. [4]

Franklin St. [1/2]

Gibbes St. [1/2]

Glebe St. [3]

George St. [3]

Grove, Laurens, Orange, Pitt, and Queen Sts. [2]

Streets of Harlestonboro [4]

Hasell St. [4]

King St. [3]

Legare St. [3]

Magazine St. [1]

Meeting St. [14]

Murray Blvd. [2]

Rutledge Ave. [6]

Society St. [1/2]

St. Michael's Alley [1/2]

Stoll's Alley [1/2]

South Battery [3]

"The Battery" or White Point Garden [3]

Tradd St. [4]

Streets of Wraggborough [3]

Harbor Forts [5]

Markers [18]

Miscellaneous Data [9]

Cobblestones

Church Services Timed by the Tides

Earthquake Bolts and Rods

Firemarks

Garden Club Walk

Homes for the Aged and Needy

Indian Names

Negroes

Rebellion Roads

South Carolina Gamecock

The Swamp Fox

State Bird, Flower, Motto, Tree

Marine Hospital

Flowers, Shrubs and Trees [12]

 

Folder 2

Lectures for Guides (1973) [# of pages]

Foreward [1]

Introduction [35]

Crisp map [1]

The Streets of Charleston [4]

Ansonborough [11]

Archdale St. [5]

Ashley Ave. [3]

Atlantic St. [1]

"The Battery" or White Point Garden [3]

Beaufain St. [2]

Broad St. [20]

Calhoun St. [9]

Cannon St. [1]

Chalmers St. [4]

Church St. [6]

Columbus St. [1/2]

Coming St. [1/2]

Cumberland St. [2]

East Battery [2]

East Bay St. [4]

Franklin St. [1]

George St. [3]

Gibbes St. [1]

Glebe St. [3]

Grove, Lauens, Orange, Pitt and Queen Sts. [1]

Streets of Harlestonboro [4]

Hasell St. [4]

King St. [3]

Legare St. [3]

Magazine St. [1]

Meeting St. [14]

Murray Blvd. [2]

Rutledge Ave. [6]

Society St. [1/2]

South Battery [3]

St. Michael's Alley [1/2]

Stoll's Alley [1/2]

Tradd St. [4]

Streets of Wraggborough [3]

Markers [18]

Harbor Forts [5]

Miscellaneous Data [42]

Early Charles Towne - Topography, Climate, etc.

Charleston's Old Streets

Cobblestones

Church Services Timed by the Tides

Earthquake Bolts and Rods

Fire Marks

Garden Club Walk

Charitable and Benevolent Institutions

Indian Names

Negroes

Rebellion Road

South Carolina Gamecock

The Swamp Fox

State Bird, Flower, Motto, Tree

Marine Hospital

Translations of Latin Mottoes Often Seen in Charleston

Charleston Today

Flowers, Shrubs and Trees [12]

 

Folder 3

Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1975)	Page #
Foreword	1
Table of Contents	3
I. Introduction	7
The Beginning	7
The Lords Proprietors, Fathers of Carolina	16
South Carolina a Pioneer in Religious Freedom	23
The First Settlers of Carolina	27
The Nightmare Voyage of the First Charlestonians	35
II. Historic Suburbs of Charleston	39
Ansonborough	41
Cannonsboro	46
Elliottborough	47
Free School Lands	48
Glebe Lands	49
Hampstead	50
Harleston Village	51
Laurens Square	52
Mazyckborough	53
Mazyck Lands	54
Middlesex	55
New Market	56
Radcliffeboro	57
Rhettsbury	58
Washington	59
Wraggborough	60
III. Streets and Structures	61
Charleston's Old Streets	63
Adger's Wharf	68
Alexander St.	69
America St.	70
Amherst St.	71
Ann St.	72
Anson St.	73
Archdale St.	76
Ashley Ave.	82
Atlantic St.	85
Barre St.	85
Beaufain St.	86
Bedon's Alley	88
Bee St.	88
Broad St.	89
Bull St.	104
Calhoun St.	106
Cannon St.	112
Chalmers St.	113
Chapel St.	116
Charlotte St.	117
Chisolm St.	118
Church St.	119
Clifford St.	128
Coming St.	129
Cordes St.	130
Court House Sq.	130
Courtenay Dr.	130
Cumberland St.	131
East Battery	132
East Bay St.	133
Elizabeth St.	141
Elliott St.	142
Franklin St.	143
Gadsden St.	144
George St.	144
Gibbes St.	145
Gillon St.	145
Glebe St.	146
Greenhill St.	146
Hanover St.	146
Hasell St.	147
Hayne St.	150
John St.	150
Judith St.	150
King St.	151
Ladson St.	159
Lamboll St.	159
Laurens St.	160
Legare St.	161
Limehouse St.	165
Line St.	165
Logan St.	166
Lockwood Dr.	166
Lodge Alley Warehouses	167
Magazine St.	167
Maiden Ln.	170
Market St.	170
Mary St.	171
Meeting St.	172
Montagu St.	185
Murray Blvd.	187
Orange St.	188
Pitt St.	189
Price's Alley	190
Prioleau St.	190
Queen St.	190
Race St.	192
Radcliffe St.	192
Rutledge Ave.	192
St. Margaret's St.	197
St. Michael's Alley	197
St. Philip St.	198
Smith St.	198
Society St.	198
South Battery	200
Spring St.	202
State St.	203
Stoll's Alley	204
Thomas St.	204
Tradd St.	204
Vanderhorst St.	209
Vendue Range	209
Wall St.	210
Warren St.	210
Water St.	210
Wentworth St.	210
Wragg Pl.	215
Zig Zag Alley	216
IV.Major Parks	217
The Battery	219
Charles Town Landing	221
Colonial Lake	222
Hampton Park	223
Marion Square	224
V. Institutions of Higher Learning	227
The Citadel	227
College of Charleston	231
Medical University of South Carolina	237
VI. Harbor of History	241
Fort Johnson	243
Fort Moultrie	244
Fort Sumter	245
Castle Pinckney	246
VII. Markers	249
General Information	251
Markers Placed or Approved by the Historical Commission of Charleston, S.C.	255
Marker Inscriptions	257
VIII. Miscellaneous Data	273
Early Charles Town -- Topography, Climate, etc.	275
Cobblestones	280
Church Services Timed by the Tides	281
Earthquake Bolts and Rods	282
Fire Marks	285
Gateway Walk	289
Charitable and Benevolent Institutions	289
Confederate Home	289
William Enston Home	290
Canterbury House	293
Episcopal Church Home	293
Franke Home	293
Collin McKay Grant Home	293
St. Philip's Church Home	293
Rebellion Rd.	294
South Carolina Gamecock	294
The Swamp Fox	294
State Bird, Flower, Motto, Tree	295
Translations of Latin Mottoes	295
Charleston Today	297
IX. Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees	301

 

Folder 4

Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1985)	Page #
Foreward - Douglas C. Plate	iii
For New Guides - Elizabeth Jenkins Young	v
Introduction - Robert P. Stockton	vii
Charles Town, Capital of Carolina - Robert P. Stockton	1
The Lords Proprietors, Fathers of Carolina - Marguerite Couturier Steedman	7
The Nightmare Voyage of the First Charlestonians - Marguerite Couturier Steedman	13
The First Settlers of Carolina - Marguerite Couturier Steedman	17
Capsule History of Charleston - Mary A. Sparkman, Marguerite Couturier Steedman, Robert P. Stockton	23
How the City Grew - Marguerite Couturier Steedman	45
Suburbs and Sections - Robert P. Stockton	48
Ansonborough	48
Cannonborough	50
Colleton Square	51
Elliottborough	52
Elliott Lands	52
Free School Lands or College Lands	52
The French Quarter	54
Glebe Lands	56
Hampstead	57
Village of Harleston	58
Islington	59
Laurens Square	59
Mazyckborough	60
Mazyck Lands	60
Middlesex	61
New Market	62
Radcliffeborough	62
Rhettsbury	63
Washington	64
Wraggborough	64
Wragg Lands	64
Wragg Pasture	65
Streets and Structures - Robert P. Stockton [missing]	67
Charleston's Parks	454
"The Battery" or White Point Garden	454
Charles Towne Landing	457
Colonial Lake	457
Hampton Park	458
Marion Square	459
Patriots Point	462
Washington Square	462
Wragg Mall and Wragg Square	464
Historic Colleges	465
College of Charleston	465
Medical University of South Carolina	466
The Citadel	467
Harbor Forts	468
Fort Johnson	468
Fort Moultrie	469
Fort Sumter	470
Castle Pinckney	470
Black Charlestonians - Elizabeth H. Alston	472
Botanical Guide Notes - Mary Martha Blalock	509
Native Trees and Shrubs	541
Charleston Architecture - Robert P. Stockton	529
Historic Preservation in Charleston	535
Protective Covenants and Conservation Easements - Jonathan H. Poston	539
Markers	541
Bibliography	563
An ordinance to amend chapter six of the Code of the City of Charleston, 1975, by deleting the entire Chapter, and all amendments thereto, and enacting In its place a new chapter six entitled, "Tourism" [full text]	---
Book List re: Charleston	---