Ansonborough in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Borough Houses
35 & 35 1/2 Calhoun Street
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 6, 2012
1. The Borough Houses Marker
35-1/2 Calhoun Street was built in 1940 by two of Willis Johnson's sons, Frank and Henry as a test for the completion of their carpentry apprenticeship taught by Tom Pinckney, master craftsman. 35 Calhoun Street is currently owned by Rebecca Campbell and Catherine Braxton, sisters and their cousin, Esther Chandler, heirs of Willis Johnson. These two single houses are among the last vestiges of the "Borough", a once vibrant community of blacks and immigrants centered by a low-income housing project, Ansonborough Homes, hence the name, "the Borough Houses".
Erected 2006 by MOJA Arts Festival, City of Charleston.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
Location. 32° 47.327′ N, 79° 55.746′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County.
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Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston and in the Lowcountry. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Borough Houses (here, next to this marker); The Liberty Tree (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Blake-Grimkι House (about 700 feet away); Andrew Moffett House (about 800 feet away); The Benjamin DuPrι House (about 800 feet away); Philip Simmons (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gadsden's Wharf (approx. 0.2 miles away); Septima Poinsette Clark (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012
2. The Borough Houses
These two houses are the last vestiges of The Borough and have steadfastly resisted gentrification. They remain monuments to the lives and contributions of African-Americans who made The Borough their home.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012
3. The Borough Houses - 35 Calhoun Street
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012
4. The Borough Houses #35, southside view
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012
5. The Borough Houses # 35 ½
... was built in 1940 by two of
Willis Johnson's sons, Frank and Henry as a test
for the completion of their carpentry apprenticeship....
Photographed by Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012
6. The Borough Houses seen along Calhoun Street
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2012
7. The Borough Houses and Marker, at left of driveway
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,775 times since then and 116 times this year. Last updated on April 15, 2021. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 3, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on March 8, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
