Robinson-Aiken Necessary Building, 48 Elizabeth Street, Charleston

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,10-CHAR,177D-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

character. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Original and Subsequent Owners: John Robinson, original owner, bought the land in (Charleston County Mesne Conveyance Office, vol. p. 393 [longhand]). He sold house in to William Aiken, Charles Edmonston and Lewis A. Pitray. (Ibid. vol. p. Governor William Aiken lived here and house went to his daughter, A. Burnet Rhett. (Information from I'On Lowndes Rhett). B. Date of Erection: Circa m PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION The necessary buildings are built against the northwest and northeast corners of the garden wall; the former has had the interior altered in modern times, and the latter has a deteri- oriated interior. The masonry portions of these two structures are in good condition.

Since the two appear to have been identical in design the northeast one will be described here. In plan, the building appears to be a square (about with the southwest corner cut off to form an entrance facade about 81 wide. This southwest wall has simple brick pilasters at the corners, between which springs a low elliptical arch of one rowlock course, A projecting brick course forms the impost. Within the elliptical arch is a brick wall pierced by a doorway and a louwerad window on each side of it; all three openings have pointed (two-centered) arches- of one rowlock course. The arch of the doorway is higher and wider than the others. The door is lotraarasgcl. There is a low para- pet above the blank elliptical arch.

On the ground in front of this facade is a large rectangular paving stone with a brick edging. ROBIMSON-AIKEN NECESSARY BUIIDING HABS No. (Page Z) 9 The west and south walls, which are each about 6* wide, are similar; each has corner pilasters, a blank elliptical arch, and a single loirarsa" window with pointed arch. Portions of a flat roof and plastered ceiling remain, but the floor, which was presumably wooden, has disappeared. The rear wall of the interior is of frame, with lath and plaster; it was built diagonally across the corner of the garden walls, making it parallel to the entrance wall, and leaving a ventila- ting shaft in the corner. The north and east interior walls have some furring and boarding still in place. Part of the riser and seats remain, against the rear wall.

Prepared by Harley J. MeKee, Architect National Park Service August # m Addendum to: Robinson-Aiken Necessary Building HABS No, 48 Elizabeth Street Charleston Charleston County South Carolina J ^>. PHOTOGRAPHS Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington,