Harleston Village in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
I. Jenkins Mikell House
c. 1854
antebellum houses of
Charleston built by Edisto
Island cotton planter,
I. Jenkins Mikell. He adopted
design sophistication and
colour of an Italian villa
unusual in Charleston.
Notice the Jupiter or rams
heads on capitals of columns.
It served as Charleston
County Library for many
years. The present owner has
carefully restored it to the
grandeur it deserves.
Erected by The Preservation Society of Charleston.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Preservation Society of Charleston series list.
Location. 32° 46.836′ N, 79° 56.533′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Harleston Village. Marker is on Rutledge Avenue near Montagu Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 94 Rutledge Avenue, 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. Glover - Sottile House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 66 Bull Street The John Cart House (about 500 feet away); 95 Ashley Avenue (about 500 feet away); 113 Ashley Avenue (about 700 feet away); 69 Ashley Avenue Eli Gedding House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 55 Ashley Avenue The Baker House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Benjamin Lucas House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pollitzer House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Regarding I. Jenkins Mikell House. -- Built by lsaac Jenkins Mikell, a wealthy Edisto lsland planter, for his third bride, this ltalianate villa has an imposing portico with Jupiter or ram's head capitals. lt was described in 1857 as "one of the most ambitious of the private dwellings of Charleston". The interior has a curving stair and profuse plasterwork typical of the period. ln 1866, when real estate values were severely depressed, Mikell sold his town house to Edward Willis, a local merchant, for $22,500. Later, it was the home of Mayor John Ficken. From 1935 to 1960, it housed the Charleston County Free Library. lt is again in residential use.
(Stockton, DYKYC, Oct. 27, 1975; Stoney, N&C, April 26, 1964; Mrs. Townsend Mikell, unpub. MS. CCL; Stoney, This is Charleston , p. 90; Smith & Smith, Dwelling Houses , p. 321)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,462 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 22, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.