The Borough Houses

The Borough Houses. . , 35 Calhoun Street was built in 1852 and occupied by Irish immigrants. , It was purchased by Willis Johnson, Sr. in 1939. , His sons, Frank and Henry built 35½ Calhoun with their own hands to complete carpentry apprenticeships. , The houses are still owned by Willis Johnson's Sr. Family.
35 Calhoun Street was built in 1852 and occupied by Irish immigrants.
It was purchased by Willis Johnson, Sr. in 1939.
His sons, Frank and Henry built 35½ Calhoun with their own hands to complete carpentry apprenticeships.
The houses are still owned by Willis Johnson's Sr. Family. "The Borough" is the name associated with the former African-American section of the Ansonborough neighborhood.
It was bounded by Laurens, Charlotte, Concord and Meeting Streets.
Here, African American families fostered close relationships and rich cultural life.

Their community was steeped in the belief that "it takes a village to raise a child."
Just east of the spot-in what is known as Ansonborough Field-stood the Ansonborough Homes. Built in 1940 for over 160 families, the structures were vacated in 1992 upon discovery of toxic-waste deposits in the soil. Their demolition the following year regrettably erased a significant piece of history relevant to Charleston's black community.

These two houses are the last vestiges of The Borough and have steadfastly resisted gentrification. They remain monuments to the lives and contributions of African-Americans who made The Borough their home.
These photographs [included] depict life in The Borough as it existed five decades ago.
 
Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
 
Location. 32° 47.327′ N, 79° 55.749′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Ansonborough. Marker is on Calhoun Street near E Bay Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 Calhoun Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Borough Houses (here, next to this marker); The Liberty Tree (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Blake-Grimké House (about 700 feet away); The Benjamin DuPré House (about 800 feet away); Philip Simmons (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gadsden's Wharf (approx. 0.2 miles away); Septima Poinsette Clark (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Moses C. Levy House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

 

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

2. The Borough Houses

The Borough Houses Marker, `

3. Upper Photo

"The Borough" is the name associated with the former African-American section of the Ansonborough neighborhood.

The Borough Houses Marker, `

4. Their community was steeped in the belief that "it takes a village to raise a child."

The Borough Houses Marker, `

5. The Borough Houses Marker lower photo

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2012

6. The Borough Houses and Marker, at right

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

7. The Borough Houses 35 Calhoun Street

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

8. The Borough Houses

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

9. The Borough Houses

Frank and Henry Johnson built 35½ Calhoun with their own hands to complete carpentry apprenticeships.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 5, 2012

10. The Borough Houses and Marker near E Bay Street

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 718 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on March 6, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.