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

College of Charleston

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 18, 2026

1. College of Charleston Marker

Inscription.
(side 1)
Founded in 1770 and chartered in 1785, the College of Charleston is the oldest college in S.C. and is among the oldest in the U.S. The Cistern Yard, representing the core of campus, has three buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Randolph Hall (c. 1830). Porter's Lodge (1851), and Towell Library (1856). Randolph Hall is one of the longest-serving academic buildings in the U.S. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) Initially a private school, in 1837 the College became the first municipal college in the country. It resumed private operations in 1949 to avoid racial integration. The school was all-male until 1918 and integrated in 1967. It became a public institution again in 1970, overseen by the State of South Carolina. In 1972, the College established its first graduate program and formalized its status as a university in 1992.

Erected 2019 by College of Charleston. (Marker Number 10-112.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1770.

Location. 32° 47.008′ N, 79° 56.207′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Harleston Village. It is at the intersection of George Street and St Philip Street, on the left when traveling east on George Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 66 George St, Charleston SC 29424, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 College of Charleston (within shouting distance of this marker); Nine College Way (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wilson-Sottile House (about 500 feet away); Elizabeth Jackson (about 500

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 18, 2026

2. College of Charleston Marker

feet away); President's House (about 500 feet away); Kornahrens-Guenveur House (about 600 feet away); Affra Harleston Coming (about 600 feet away); The Farr House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 18, 2026

3. College of Charleston Marker

Porter's Lodge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 18, 2026

4. Porter's Lodge

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 18, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.