French Quarter in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ordinance of Secession
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009
1. Ordinance of Secession Marker
stands on the site formerly occupied by
S.C. Institute Hall
where, on December 20, 1860,
was signed and ratified the
Ordinance of Secession
which withdrew the state of South Carolina
from the Union and led to the formation of
the Confederate States of America and to four
years of war between the north and the south.
The building was totally destroyed in the
conflagration of December 1861.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 20, 1860.
Location. 32° 46.704′ N, 79° 55.871′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in the French Quarter. It is on Meeting Street south of Cumberland Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 126 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: Institute Hall / "The Union Is Dissolved!" (here, next to this marker); Carolina Art Association / James S. Gibbes Memorial Art Gallery (within shouting distance of this marker); Josiah Flagg (within shouting distance of this marker); Charleston Gas Light Company (within shouting distance
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009
2. Ordinance of Secession Marker
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, May 16, 2009
3. Site of South Carolina Institute Hall Today
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 6, 2011
4. Ordinance of Secession Marker, seen behind tree at right, along Meeting Street
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 9, 2013
5. Secession Ordinance of South Carolina
This copy of the Ordinance of Secession was displayed at the original South Carolina State House in Columbia. During the Union occupation of the city, it was taken by Capt. William McWorkman of Iowa before the state house was burned. It was returned to the State of South Carolina in 1990, and is currently on display at the State Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,760 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 21, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 4. submitted on December 7, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on August 23, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
