West Ashley in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Buildings All of Wood?
This small shed represents the construction techniques that might have been used at early Charles Towne. It is not a reconstruction of a specific building, and as far as we know there was never an actual building or garden located on this exact spot.
The shed is a blend of English and Caribbean building methods, adapted to locally available materials. Its frame consists of wooden posts set into the earth. The wall on one side is made of wattle (woven saplings) covered in clay daub and lime. On the opposite side it is covered with hand-split oak boards. The roof is made of cabbage palmetto leaves.
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Under two photos of early structures, courtesy of Library of Congress, Historic American Building Survey Collection:
Charles Townes early buildings were often described as being “all of wood.” They may have been covered in split boards, a material used in 17th century Barbados, Virginia and New England. This photograph shows original clapboards on the Pierce House (ca. 1650) in Massachusetts.
In 1682 one observer wrote that Charles Townes early buildings were constructed with “a sort of lime, made out of oyster shells and clayey soil.” This may be a reference to “wattle and daub” construction, pictured above.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1682.
Location. 32° 48.182′ N, 79° 59.071′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in West Ashley. It can be reached from Old Town Plantation Road. Marker is located on the History Trail at Charles Towne Landing. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1500 Old Towne Road, Charleston SC 29407, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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: Seeking Wealth, Sowing Servitude (a few steps from this marker); A Temporary Home? (a few steps from this marker); Ghost Structure (within shouting distance of this marker); Stained Dirt?! (within shouting distance of this marker); Protecting the Colony The Palisade Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Search Goes On (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Trust (about 400 feet away); 300th Anniversary of the Settlement of Charles Towne (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 752 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 20, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.



