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

Fireproof Building

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 2, 2019

1. Fireproof Building Marker
(side 1 • faces north • Meeting Street on right)

Inscription.
(side 1)
Constructed 1822-26, the County Records Building, known as the Fireproof Building, was designed by Charleston-born architect Robert Mills. Mills eliminated combustible materials from the design. Stone steps, flagstone flooring, and brownstone sills were used in place of wood. The brick vaulting on the interior carried the weight of the upper floors and eliminated the need for joists. The roof was clad in copper and all window sashes and frames were iron.

(side 2)
Massive brownstone columns with roughcast stucco adorn the matching porticos on the north and south elevations. These porticos place this building within the Greek Revival style and it was the first public building in the city designed in that form. Home to the S.C. Historical Society since 1943, the Fireproof Building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.

Erected 2016 by South Carolina Historical Society. (Marker Number 10-92.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.

Location. 32° 46.622′ N, 79° 55.858′

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W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in the French Quarter. Marker is on Meeting Street south of Chalmers Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located along the sidewalk, on the east side of the "Fireproof Building," adjacent to the bus stop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Meeting 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. George Washington Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fireproof Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Quaker Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Light Infantry Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Lucius Mendel Rivers (within shouting distance of this marker); County of Charleston Historic Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Timrod (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fireproof Building

Also see . . . Fireproof Building (Wikipedia). The Fireproof Building, also known as the County Records Building, was completed in 1827. It was the most fire-resistant building in America

Fireproof Building Marker<br>(<i>side 2 • faces south • Fireproof Building on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 2, 2019

2. Fireproof Building Marker
(side 2 • faces south • Fireproof Building on right)

at the time, and is believed to be the oldest fire-resistant building in America today. (Submitted on May 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Fireproof Building Marker<br>(<i>view from Meeting Street • Fireproof Building in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 2, 2019

3. Fireproof Building Marker
(view from Meeting Street • Fireproof Building in background)

Fireproof Building Marker<br>(<i>tall view looking south along Meeting Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 2, 2019

4. Fireproof Building Marker
(tall view looking south along Meeting Street)

Fireproof Building National Historic Landmark Plaque<br>(<i>mounted on building's south portico</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 2, 2019

5. Fireproof Building National Historic Landmark Plaque
(mounted on building's south portico)

The Fireproof Building
has been designated a
National
Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America
1974
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior

Fireproof Building / South Carolina Historical Society (<i>south portico</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 2, 2019

6. Fireproof Building / South Carolina Historical Society (south portico)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 524 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 11, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.