Charles Edmonston House, 21 East Battery Street, Charleston

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,10-CHAR,101-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

unchanged since it was redecorated about PART I. HISTORICAL INFQRMATION A. Physical History: 1. Original and subsequent owners: Charles Edmonston, original owner. [Samuel Gaillard Stoney, article in The News and Courier, Charleston, March 15, NOI'E: Edmonston 1 s name is sometimes found spelled Edmondston. The house and lot were sold in by Edmondston's assignees to Charles Alston for [Account book, Assignees of Charles Edmondston & Co., page 6. Longhand. Owned by Beatrice St. J. Ravenel, 126 Tradd Charleston, S. c.] The house remained in the Alston family until bought by H. A. M. Smith, and since has been the residence of the Smith family. [Samuel Gaillard Stoney, The News and Courier, March 15, 2. Date of erection: By [Stoney, ibid.] J. Architect, Builder, Suppliers, etc.: Unknown. 4.

Notes on alterations and additions: Charles Alston redecorated the house in Greek Revival style, added a third story to the piazzas and placed his arms on a parapet on the east front. A balcony was destroyed in the earthquake of and the present cast-iron balcony was then added. [Stoney, ibid.] B. Historical Events Cormected with the Structure: Stands on the foundations of Fort Mechanic, built about [Stoney, ibid.] c. Supplemental Material: The following is quoted from Alice R. Huger Smith and D. E. Huger Smith, The Dwelling Houses ot Charleston. South Carolina (Philadelphia: Lippincott Co., pages CHARLES EDMONSTON HOUSE HABS No.

(Page .~ ;, j "This large three-story brick house is set somewhat back f'rom the street with a low wall surmounted by a wrought- iron railing or fence, the gates being also of' wrought-iron. The house has a large extension at the back and, with its brick outbuildings, presents a marked appearance of solidity. Looking at it :Crom the High Battery the roof is partly hidden by a parapet, which bears on it the Alston coat of arms. "The wide piazzas to the south add even greater width to the house. The entrance is into a large hall on the north, and from this you pass through an arch into the wide staircase- hall which runs through from north to south, where it has a door on the lower piazza.

The squarely-built staircase with its wide window leads to the drawing-rooms on the second floor, which are en suite with large folding doors and include the width of the central hall, as a connecting third room. Over the entrance hall is a pretty room used as a library with a door also opening into the east drawing room. The advantage of such a plan for coolness as well as beauty is obvious, and the simple spaciousness gives an air 0 quiet dignity and comfort " Note: A pencil sketch of the front by Alice R. H. Smith, reproduced on page shows chimneys topped by hoods--not the present chim- ney pots. Prepared by Beatrice St. J. Ravenel Architectural Historian Charleston, South Carolina July AND Harley J. ~Kee, Architect National Park Service August PART II. ARCHITECTQRAL INFQRMATION A.

General Statement: 1. Architectural character: Three-story stuccoed brick structure with a fine Classic Revival porch. House has had few alterations. 2. Condition of fabric: Excellent. B. 1echnical Description of Exterior: 1. Foundations: Brick. 2. Wall construction: Brick coated with stucco. 3. Chimneys: Many brick chimneys with terra cotta chimney pots. CHARLES EDMONSTON HOUSE HABS No. (Page )) 4 4. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Wood. b. Windows and shutters: Wooden frames, wooden shutters 5. Roof: a. Shape, covering: Slate--low pitched behind parapet. b. Cornice, eaves: Projecting brick courses. c Dormers: None c. Technical Description of Interior: 1. Floor plans: Two large rooms on each floor, plus smaller room (or hall) with wide stairway running north and south. 2.

Stairways: Main wood stairway, plus wood back stairs. J. Flooring: Wood floors. 4. Wall and ceiling finish: Ornamental plaster. 5. Doorways and doors: Wood. 6. Trim: Wood, elaborate. 7. Hardware: Metal (modern). 8. Lighting: Electric (modern). 9. Heating: Fireplaces, plus central heating. D. Site: 1. General setting and orientation: Best residential sec- tion, magnificent view overlooking harbor and High Battery. House faces east. 2. Enclosures: On front, iron fence on top of three-root brick and cement wall. Walls at sides and back, brick. 3. Outbuildings: Two-story brick and stucco servants' buildings, and garage. 4. Walks: Brick. 5. Landscaping: Traditional. Prepared by E. R. Martin July Addendum to: Charles Edmonston House HABS No.

(Alston House; Middleton-Smith House) 21 East Battery Street Charleston Charleston County South Carolina PHOTOGRAPHS Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, Charles Edmonston House HABS No. (Alston House; Middleton-Smith House) 21 East Battery Street Charleston Charleston County South Carolina PHOTOGRAPHS Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service Department of The Interior Box Washington, ADDENDUM TO: HASS No. CHARLES EDMONSTON HOUSE (Alston House) (Middleton-Smith House) \-\ 21 E. Battery Charleston Battery Charleston Charleston County JO- South Carolina

Photographs Historic American Buildings Survey

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior C St. NW Washington, DC I ADDENDUM TO: HABSSC-54 CHARLES EDMONSTON HOUSE SC, 10-CHAR, (Alston House) (Middleton-Smith House) 1-\A 65 21 East Battery Street Charleston Charleston County South Carolina PAPER COPIES OF COLOR TRANSPARENCIES HISTORIC AMERICAN BUllDINGS'SURVEY National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior C Street NW Washington, DC I