U.S. Arsenal, Powder Magazine, 167 Ashley Avenue, Charleston

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,10-CHAR,183E-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Original and Subsequent Owners: United States Government; granted to Trustees of the Holy Communion Church Institute by joint resolution of Congress, December 19, Name changed to Porter Academy in (A. Toomer Porter, Led # Qn [New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, Sold to Medical College of South Carolina, August 30, (News and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, August 31j B. Date of Erection: About I844. C. Architect: Probably Edward Brickell White. (Ravenel, Archi- tects of Charleston [Charleston: Carolina Art Ass'n., D. Motes on Known Alterations and Additions: Converted into double swimming pool c. (A. Toomer Porter, Led On [New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, Later adapted for use as an armory, with installation of an elevated plank floor [physical evidence]. E.

Sources of Information: A. Toomer Porter, Led On (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, News and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, August 31? Ravenel, Architects of Charleston (Charleston: Carolina Art Ass'n., # UNITED STATES ARSENAL POWDER MAGAZINE (NOW PORTER ACADEMY ARMORY) HABS No. (Page 2) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1. Architectural character: An interesting representative of its type, with an unusual brick arch over the entrance. 2. Condition of fabric: Structure; sound. Finish; fair, B. Technical Description of Exterior 1. Number of stories? over-all dimensions, layout: One story; about 36' x polygonal layout shape. 2. Foundations : Low. 3. Wall construction, finish, and color: Red brick, thick, American bond. Four courses are high, covered with ivy. 4.

Structural system, framing: Bearing walls on exterior; two rows of three brick piers each, x sup- port 12" x #" heavy timber trussed girders, which support the central part of the roof. 5. Stoops: Modern concrete steps at entrance (five risers). 6. Openings; doorways and doors: Entrance is centered on south front; it is an arched Palladian-like motif, with a small barred window on each side of the door. Brick voussoirs near crown radiate, but remaining ones all slope at a 45 angle they continue thus over the tv.ro ' window heads. The door, probably not original, is board- and-batten covered with a steel sheet. A barred transom is now closed by matched and beaded boarding. 7. Roof: a. Shape, covering: Hip roof covered with standing- seam sheet metal, painted red. b.

Eaves: formed by projecting rafter ends. C. Technical Description of Interior 1. Floor plans: There is a single open space inside; the shape is that of a Greek cross, with the interior corners occupied by polygonal bays. Within this area, on axis with the entrance is a central rectangle about 22' x 23 * occupied by a raised platform whose boundaries are formed by piers which support the roof. A lower area extends around the perimeter. UNITED STATES ARSENAL POWDER MAGAZINE (NOW PORTER ACADEMY ARMORY) HABS No. (Page 3) 2. Flooring: (Not original). Heavy planks x S". 3. .'/all and ceiling finish: Open roof construction, showing rafters and sheathing hoards. Walls and piers are plastered. D.

Site: The huilding faces south; it is one of a group which occupies an entire block; it is near the center of the block, being just north of the main driveway, and just west of the main building. Prepared by Harley J. McKee, Architect National Park Service August