Harleston Village in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

William Blacklock House

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

1. William Blacklock House Marker

Inscription. William Blacklock House
has been designated a
National
Historic Landmark
This Site Possesses National Significance
in Commemorating the History of the
United States of America

1974
National Park Service
U.S. Department of Interior
(Marker Number #73001681.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.

Location. 32° 46.978′ N, 79° 56.358′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Harleston Village. Marker is on Bull Street, on the right when traveling east. Located Between Pitt and Coming Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18 Bull Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cameron House (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Lucas House (within shouting distance of this marker); Kornahrens-Guenveur House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Farr House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wilson-Sottile House (about 500 feet away); Nine College Way

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(about 500 feet away); Bethel Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); College of Charleston (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Regarding William Blacklock House. National Register of Historic Places:
Blacklock, William, House *** (added 1973 - - #73001681)
18 Bull St. , Charleston
♦ Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
♦ Architectural Style: Federal, Other
♦ Area of Significance: Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1800-1824
♦ Owner: Private
♦ Historic Function: Domestic
♦ Current Function: Education
♦ Current Sub-function: College

The William Blacklock House, ca. 1800, is an excellent example of the Adam style. The house has a double door entryway placed in a frame of intricately designed sidelights and topped by one of the city’s handsomest fanlights (elliptical). The door is set in a wide brick arch that is flanked by narrower window arches to either side. The house is a massive, three-story brick building with a hipped roof, and is set back from the sidewalk just

William Blacklock House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

2. William Blacklock House and Marker

The house has had a series of prominent owners and occupants, including Emile H. Jahnz, who was the German consul in 1916. Now the College of Charleston Club, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.

the width of the matched double stairs with wrought iron railing that rise over the first floor entry. Two marble columns support the platform to which the stairs ascend. The basement door is concealed under the double stairs by a pair of columns in a Palladian spacing. Marble keystones have been inserted in between the red brick headers which form arches above the windows of the façade. The house has an unusually large lot and is one of the largest residences in the city. Overlooking the rear garden are two outbuildings with Gothic windows. William Blacklock, the builder and owner, was a member of the Branch Bank of the U.S. in Charleston. Listed in the National Register November 7, 1973; Designated a National Historic Landmark November 7, 1973.(South Carolina Department of Archives and History)

Additional commentary.
1. The William Blacklock House,
built in 1800, is one of the United States' most important Adamesque houses. The house is two stories of brick on a high brick basement. The facade features a large lunette in the pediment, openings in blind arches, delicate tracery, and a double flight of iron-railed steps. The property, located at 18 Bull St., Charleston, South Carolina, includes Gothic Revival outbuildings.

The design has similarities to the work of Gabriel Manigault,

William Blacklock House rear out buildings image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

3. William Blacklock House rear out buildings

but no attribution has ever been confirmed. Blacklock was a member of the committee responsible for the construction of a bank (now City Hall) which was designed by Manigault in the same year. Other design elements of 18 Bull St. are similar to those uses in other Manigault designs.

Today, the house is owned by the College of Charleston which uses it for social events in addition to housing the Alumni Relations Office. (Wikipedia)

— Submitted February 14, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

William Blacklock House looking east along Bull Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

4. William Blacklock House looking east along Bull Street

William Blacklock House image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History., Natalie Ford, Clemsom U., January 15, 2007

5. William Blacklock House

William Blacklock House, Historic American Engineering Record image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey , Louis I. Schwartz, June 1958

6. William Blacklock House, Historic American Engineering Record

Habs 20 SC,10-CHAR,130-2

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 820 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 14, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.