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

Slave Trading Complex

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Slave Trading Complex Marker

Inscription.
This was the south end of a large slave trading complex known as The Mart or Ryan's Mart. It was opened in 1856 by Thomas Ryan after the City banned auctions of enslaved people and other goods from streets near the Exchange building. At that time, this Chalmers St. lot was an alleyway that led to the rest of the complex. which extended one-block north to Queen St. In 1859. the Mart's second owner had the alley covered and converted it into a formal auction space.

Behind this lot was a large "slave Pen," kitchen house. four-story "jail" building. and a small structure later recalled as a "dead-house." None remain. Bombardment during the Civil War forced the Mart's abandonment in 1863. Sales of enslaved people continued at other sites until Confederate forces evacuated Charleston in 1865. The Mart buildings later became tenements, Portions of which African Americans occupied for decades. The Old Slave Mart Museum opened here in 1938.

Erected 2022 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Old Slave Mart Museum and City of Charleston. (Marker Number 10-126.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 32° 46.663′ N, 79° 55.707′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is on Chalmers Street west of State Street, on the right when traveling west. The Marker is located in front of the Old Slave Mart Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 Chalmers 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,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it

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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: 19 State Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Douxsaint House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Slave Trading Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); The Footlight Players Workshop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johnson's Row (about 300 feet away); Gustave Bernardt Marle House (about 300 feet away); William A. Giles (about 300 feet away); Huguenot Church (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Also see . . . Old Slave Mart Museum. (Submitted on March 2, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Slave Trading Complex Marker (reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Slave Trading Complex Marker (reverse)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Slave Trading Complex Marker

Slave Trading Complex entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Slave Trading Complex entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 2, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.