Charleston gates

Tradd St., Charleston, SC    

There is always something interesting to discover on a walk in the historic part of Charleston. There will always be an interesting gate to look over, an alley to explore or secret garden to see. That is my worry about our new construction. Walking upper Meeting St. with offices, hotels and new construction is mind numbingly boring. I don't know the solution. Do we have to wait another hundred years for any character to develop? 

The end of the road - Ashley Hall Plantation

Ashley Hall Plantation, Charleston, SC   

All I had was my cell phone camera in hand but it didn't turn out too badly. I can't tell you how many times I've driven Ashley Hall Rd. and Ashley Hall Plantation Rd. but I'd never explored to the old gates of the actual plantation. There isn't much to see from the entrance but a fascinating history and possible one of the oldest structures in the lowcountry.

Ashley Hall Plantation, established in the early 1670s, is one of the earliest settlements on the Ashley River. The plantation was established by Stephen Bull, an English settler who arrive in Carolina in 1670. Bull and his descendants (including William Bull and William Bull, Jr.) who lived on the plantation were prominent in such diverse areas as government, science, engineering, agriculture, and military affairs. The Bull family lived at Ashley Hall until 1865, when the plantation house was burned to prevent its destruction by Union forces. The Ashley Hall property contains one of the oldest standing houses in the state (a small ca. 1675 tabby-walled house with a 20th century second story addition), the ruins of the Georgian plantation house (1704) which was burned in 1865, the monument to the second Governor William Bull erected ca. 1791, two prehistoric Indian sites, and two 18th century well sites associated with the plantation. In the 18th century a garden in the Italian style extended from the house to the riverbank. The grounds are much the same as they were originally with open spaces, woods, shrubs, and an unobstructed view of the Ashley River and the city of Charleston beyond. Listed in the National Register June 5, 1975.

There is some discussion by family members on this bulletin board although the links in the entry no longer lead anywhere. Apparently the plantation property is for sale so let's get buying those lottery tickets and bring it back to former glory.

Charleston Gates

Charleston Gates, Charleston, S.C.

Think you like this picture? Hold on to your horses and check out Vanessa K's photographs of the gates of St. Michael's Episcopal church. Wow. Wow. Wow.

Here is something funny. I knew there was a contest with the "X Marks the Spot"  theme offering the chance to wine free Charleston Wine & Food Festival tickets. Free wine, free food you say? Sign me up!  I played with these dueling okras at our hospital Farmer's Market booth yesterday. Yep. You guessed it - as far as I can tell the contest may have ended with the big party at the powerhouse the other night - I can't tell for sure. Tickets are now for sale.#‎CHSWFX

Charleston Gates

Gate, Rutledge Ave., Charleston, S.C.

Isn't this a beauty? This gate is on Rutledge Ave. a little above Colonial Lake.

I had this entire week written off for Jury Duty and then by the end of the morning I was excused because I had served within three years. Thank you! I grabbed a sandwich at Bull St. gourmet and headed out to work the afternoon with most people assuming I was still gone. Sweet! I would have stayed and served but when they mentioned they had cases that would drag over through next week I didn't know how I was going to pull that off.

Through Charleston's gates

Bull St., Charleston, S.C.

I do a lot of peeking through Charleston gates into private gardens. Sometimes someone peeks back at me.

If you like wrought iron work as much as I do, pay a visit to VanessaK's amazing photos.