French Quarter in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

City Market

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

1. City Market Marker

Inscription. Here was erected between 1788 and 1804 a public market on land ceded to City Council by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Et Al...work of filling in low ground and creek completed in 1807; and six blocks of buildings constucted extending from Meeting Street to the Cooper River: in order, the beef market, three buildings for vegetables, fruit and other provisions, a market for small meats, and the fish market. . . . . . . . . . .
Market Hall erected 1841, now houses the Confererate Museum

Erected 1939 by By the City of Charleston.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Notable Buildings • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1788.

Location. 32° 46.844′ N, 79° 55.887′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in the French Quarter. It is on Meeting Street near Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 188 Meeting Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Charleston City Market (here, next to this marker); Market Hall and Sheds (here, next to this marker);

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The Site of Carteret Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); The Nicholas Trott House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trott's Cottage (about 600 feet away); Site of the First Methodist Church In Charleston (about 600 feet away); Riviera Theatre (about 600 feet away); The Old Powder Magazine (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Regarding City Market. This site was designated as a National Historic Landmark:

Statement of Significance (as of designation - November 7, 1973):
Constructed in 1841, this is one of a small number of 19th-century market complexes extant in the United States. An imposing building with Doric columns, front portico, and elaborate ironwork, it resembles a small classical temple.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 8, 2013

2. City Market Marker

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

3. City Market

This is known as the old slave market, however no slaves were ever sold here. The people of Charleston would send slaves to market due to the smell from fish, blood from meat, and the rotten vegetables.

Daughters of Confederacy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

4. Daughters of Confederacy

Now home to the Confederate Museum

Market Hall and Sheads image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

5. Market Hall and Sheads

Has been designated a
NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
This site possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America

1975
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior

Preservation Society of Charleston image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

6. Preservation Society of Charleston

City Market Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

7. City Market Site

Old Charleston Market image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009

8. Old Charleston Market

City Market 188 Meeting Street image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division - Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1937

9. City Market 188 Meeting Street

Call Number: LC-J7-SC- 1226

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,014 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 19, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 2. submitted on August 23, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 19, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 9. submitted on January 2, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.