Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Borough Houses
35 & 35 1/2 Calhoun Street
By Mike Stroud, March 6, 2012
1. The Borough Houses Marker
35 Calhoun Street, was constructed in 1852
by Irish immigrants and purchased in 1939 by Willis
Johnson, Sr., who was born a free man at Drayton
Hall Plantation, West Ashley. 35 Calhoun Street and
35-1/2 are two-story wood framed Charleston single
houses with red tin roofs containing 6 rooms and
2 bathrooms with side porches on each level.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
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.
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Location. 32° 47.327′ N, 79° 55.746′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker is on Calhoun Street, on the right when traveling east. Located between E Bay Street and Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 & 35 1/2 Calhoun 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. 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-Grimké House (about 700 feet away); The Benjamin DuPré 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); The Moses C. Levy House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012
3. The Borough Houses - 35 Calhoun Street
By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012
4. The Borough Houses #35, southside view
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....
By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012
6. The Borough Houses seen along Calhoun Street
By Mike Stroud, 2012
7. The Borough Houses and Marker, at left of driveway
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 636 times since then and 20 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.
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