French Quarter in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Powder Magazine Flags
When the Powder Magazine was built in 1712, South Carolina was a proprietary colony owned by eight British aristocrats. Seven years later, the colonists peacefully overthrew the Lords Proprietor and South Carolina became a royal colony. The flags flying in front of the Powder Magazine symbolizes Charles Towne's connection to the British Empire.
The Cross of St. Andrew
The Cross of St. Andrew is the national flag of Scotland. The white diagonal cross on a blue background represents the martyrdom of Scotland's patron saint, St. Andrew, who was crucified in AD 69 on a diagonal cross.
Union Flag
This flag, commonly referred to as the pre-1801 Union flag, combines the Crosses of St. Andrew and St. George. Dating from the early 1600s, the Union flag became the official flag of Great Britain after the Act of Union in 1707 that joined England and Scotland. The pre-1801 Union flag looks slightly different from the one presently in use. A red diagonal cross was added to the Union flag after Ireland's incorporation into the United Kingdom.
The Cross of St. George
The Cross of St. George is the national flag of England. The red cross on a white background represents St. George, England's patron saint.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1712.
Location. 32° 46.767′ N, 79° 55.8′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in the French Quarter. Marker can be reached from Cumberland Street. Marker is located on the Powder Magazine grounds, affixed to the east wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 79 Cumberland Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Two Cannons (here, next to this marker); Revolutionary Artillery (a few steps from this marker); The Old Powder Magazine (a few steps from this marker); Trott's Cottage (a few steps from this marker); The Nicholas Trott House (a few steps from this marker); Site of the First Methodist Church In Charleston (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Hutson (within shouting distance of this marker); John Caldwell Calhoun (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel William Rhett (within shouting distance of this marker); The Molony Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Also see . . .
1. Powder Magazine. The Powder Magazine - South Carolina's Oldest Public Building. (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Lords Proprietor > Carolina. There were eight Lords Proprietor of the Province of Carolina (by 1729, when seven of their descendants, all but the heir of Carteret, sold their shares to the Crown, it was split into two provinces: North and South Carolina). (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Flag of Scotland. The Flag of Scotland, also known as Saint Andrew's Cross or the Saltire, is the national flag of Scotland. (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. Union Flag. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
5. Flag of England. The Flag of England is the St George's Cross (heraldic blazon: Argent, a cross gules). (Submitted on October 7, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Lords Proprietors
— Submitted October 7, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 734 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 7, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.