Orange you colorful holiday decorations?!

Church St., Charleston, SC

Interesting and eye catching use of oranges as a holiday decoration.

I'd rather not be the one who had to clean out the trough after they start to spoil but it is colorful and creative!

Morning sun

St. Philip's Church. Church St., Charleston, SC   

This was to be my jury duty week but I was released on the first day. Lucky me! Spring break week I suspect. Assigned to the courthouse on Broad St. I walked to the top of the Cumberland St. garage and caught this view of St. Philip's church in the morning sun. Not bad for a cell phone shot. 

Charleston at Christmas

Dog & Horse, Church St., Charleston, SC   

I am getting slack. Who knew we had a Dog & Horse Fine Art & Portraiture store on Church St.? I didn't. Click the link to check it out. Dogs and Horses doggone it.

The Meeting St. Inn looks festive as always at Christmas but do you notice something missing from the frequently photographed windows on Tradd St.? The pig is gone from the window. The property may have changed hands but I don't believe city council voted to let them take the pig out of the window.

Pony up to the Hat Man

Hat Man at Broad & Church St., Charleston, SC  

The blinders might keep the horse from being startled by the Hat Man mural at Church and Broad St. Boo! 
The Hat Man mural was painted around 1892 and is made up of 16 different hats in 12 different styles. It probably promoted a hat store but happily for us it remained to become a favorite landmark and is freshened up periodically. 

It's been a big day in South Carolina. May tomorrow be a good and peaceful day. 

Church Photo in Lieu of Attendance

Huguenot Church, Church St., Charleston, S.C.

It has been a rainy and dreary day in the lowcountry but I walked enough yesterday to make up for a lazy day today. Today's church photo in lieu of attendance is the beautiful and often photographed French Huguenot Church at Church and Queen St. It used to be white but the pinkish color it was repainted in really showed up on this overcast day. The church has an interesting history and still holds one service a year in French.

History of the Huguenot Church: In April of 1680 the ship Richmond arrived in Charleston with 45 French Protestants (Huguenots) aboard. More refugees followed, and in 1687, a church was built on what is now the corner of Church St. and Queen St. in downtown Charleston. About four hundred and fifty Huguenots had settled in the Low Country of South Carolina by 1700.

The original church was destroyed in 1796 in an attempt to stop the spread of a fire, which had burned much of the surrounding area. The replacement for the original building was completed in 1800 and dismantled in 1844 to make way for the present Gothic Revival edifice, designed by Edward Brickell White and dedicated in 1845. The church was damaged by shellfire during the long bombardment of downtown in the War Between the States and was nearly demolished in the severe earthquake of 1886. 

Edit to add this postcard from 1946. The church had been painted white for many years but apparently it is closer to the original color now. 

 Short work week ahead, kids so something to be thankful already! 

Ghost hunting in Charleston

St. Philip's, Church St., Charleston, S.C.

Ghost hunting in historic Charleston? You are in luck at the churchyard cemetery of St. Philip's. They boast about their Ghost and invite you to learn more.

Overheard on Church St.

Church St., Charleston, S.C.

Tourists chatting on Church St.:

"So, there are no Churches on Church St.?"

"Right. You can imagine how disappointed we were on Broad St."

Down the Garden Path

Pirates Courtyard, Charleston, S.C.

I've passed this alleyway on Church St. time after time but always assumed it was private property and never actually entered through the gate. Apparently there is a courtyard at the back of what is called the Pirate's House. This travel photography website has more information: History Trekker.

Holy cold toes, kids! It is chilly out there. It has been a lovely day but walking out this evening in the wind is wicked cold. I hope all of our budding blossoms make it through the night. I have my electric blanket heating up.

I went to the symphony tonight and was so pleased to find a packed house. We were all there to hear Yuriy Bekker play the million dollar Stradivarius violin and play it he did. What a great treat! More info in the Post & Courier story.

Evening Light

Dock St. Theater, Church St., Charleston, S.C.

This has been a rush, rush, rush week but the one advantage of ending my days with meetings in town is that I get home in time to walk while the light turns Charleston into a sparkling jewel box. These were taken on a Queen St./Church St. route but you can't go wrong lately, everything is so beautiful.

Bloggers get even better looking! A Picture a Day is off on a European adventure and left her sister in charge as guest blogger. Her sister happens to be Valarie, Miss South Carolina US. I met Valarie a few months ago when she graciously visited the friendly little hospital across the river, on Valentine's Day as an honorary volunteer and posed for a million photos with all of our staff and patients.



Queen St., Charleston, S.C.