I love thinking about how our buildings have been used over the years. Adaptive reuse is something we often hear these days, but did you know Charleston has been adapting and repurposing buildings throughout her history?

The sign on the building at 55 Society - Spanish American War Veterans

We recently represented the seller in the sale of her condominium at 55 Society Street, originally built to house Charleston High School. Every time I showed the property, I thought of how much fun it must have been to attend school in such a grand building. The ceiling height is 13 feet and the entrance doors have to be at least 12 feet tall. It was a thrill just opening the doors for buyers to walk through. They are really impressive! The building was designed by our favorite architect, Edward Brickell White, who designed the French Huguenot Church, Charleston City Market, South Carolina State Arsenal (the old Citadel) and many other important buildings here in Charleston, including our office at 9 Broad Street. Seems as though Society Street schools moved locations often during the late 1800's - early 1900's. Charleston High School left its location on Society in 1881 and moved around the corner to the old Radcliffe-King Mansion at Meeting and George Streets.

63 Society Street - Then and Now

The story of St. Peter's School, another Society Street school, piques my interest and imagination. In 1868, under the leadership of Bishop Patrick Lynch, St. Peters School was organized to serve the African American Catholic community. Originally located in the rectory on Wentworth Street, it soon moved to 51 Society Street and by 1902 was moved again down the street to 65 Society, today known as 63 Society. As the parish grew, students and parents converted to Catholicism. By 1902 the enrollment totaled 127 students. There must have been quite a commotion on weekdays around 3:00 with all those students piling out onto sleepy Society Street. Back to adaptive reuse, 65 Society has been home to Second Presbyterian Church as a lecture room, the Philharmonic Society, St. Peter's School, and the American Legion. Today it's a stylish 6-bedroom residence. For more of the story read Education and Adaptation, written by Kimber Price.