Harleston Village in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
95 Ashley Avenue
Mayor William A. Courtnay House
circa 1840
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 18, 2011
1. 95 Ashley Avenue Marker
William Ashmead Courtenay (1831 - 1908), a prominent cotton shipper and publisher, was mayor of Charleston from 1879 - 1887. During his tenure he modernized the city government, renovated city hall and built public parks, fire and police stations Courtenay is best remembered for his leadership in rebuilding the city after the hurricane of 1885 and the earthquake of 1886. In 1888 the City of Charleston placed a bust of Courtenay in City Hall.
Erected 2005 by The Preservation Society of Charleston.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Preservation Society of Charleston series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Glover - Sottile House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); I. Jenkins Mikell House (about 500 feet away); 113 Ashley Avenue (about 600 feet away); 69 Ashley Avenue Eli Gedding House (about 600 feet away); 55 Ashley Avenue The Baker House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 66 Bull Street The John Cart House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pollitzer House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Benjamin Lucas House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Regarding 95 Ashley Avenue. Mayor William Ashmead Courtenay's residence. Courtenay (1831-1908) was mayor of Charleston from 1879 to 1887. He used his business expertise to professionalize the city administration and made many permanent improvements, including the paving of major streets, such as King and Meeting streets, for the first time. His home was an older single house which was remodeled in the Queen Anne style, sometime between 1883 and 1893 .
(Mazyck & Waddell, illus. 2, 71; Archer,
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 18, 2011
2. 95 Ashley Avenue and Marker
Additional commentary.
1. William Ashmead Courtenay
Served in General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia as a soldier in Joseph B. Kershaw's brigade in General James Longstreet's corps. William Ashmead Courtenay fought at First Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga. In 1893 William Ashmead Courtenay founded Newry, SC and built a cotton mill there.
— Submitted January 18, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 18, 2011
3. 95 Ashley Avenue
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 18, 2011
4. 95 Ashley Avenue Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 18, 2011
5. 95 Ashley Avenue
The University of South Carolina Library, George LaGrange Cook, c.1880-1895
6. 95 Ashley Avenue
The University of Arkansas Press
7. the William Ashmead Courtenay Bust, as mentioned
Mayor of Charleston, 1879-1887
As Chief Magistrate
He administered the government with
firmness, impartiality and success.
Even amid the disasters of cyclone and earthquake,
signally illustrating the safe maxim, that,
"PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST"
This memorial erected by his grateful fellow-citizens,
December 19th, 1888.
The following biography is reprinted from "The News and Courier" Charleston, SC Dec. 15, 1952, page 16:
William A. Courtenay Ranks With the City's Greatest Mayors A bust of William Ashmead Courtenay, considered by many persons to have been Charleston's greatest mayor, occupies a niche in the corner of the committee room to the west of the City Council Chamber in City Hall. It is almost as if this likeness of the man who guided Charleston's destinies through its greatest disaster, the 1886 earthquake, watches over the deliberations of the committees which mold the policies of city government.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 695 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 18, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
