Photo-Journey (Charleston, SC)

Hello Friends, 

I was looking through my private stash today---that is,  pictures I have taken over the past few years that don't really fall into a nice scrapbooking category. 

Here are some pics from Charleston, South Carolina and pre-Katrina New Orleans that I’ve saved---maybe just to share with you. 

I find the ironwork,  the paint colors and the chipped cobblestone of these old Southern cities intriguing.  Let's take a peek…...

Secret Garden Door

Look at the moss-covered cobbles and ivy-covered brick.  Could this be the doorway to the Secret Garden?  I wonder what's behind it...

Circular Church

 ….a haunted mansion, a castle keep? No, but close; it’s the Circular Church Graveyard established in 1681. It is the church that established the first Sunday School in South Carolina….and it’s said to be haunted. 

 And for just a few dollars per person, you can go on a guided lamplight tour to see for yourself.   That is, of course, if you dare.

 And that's not the only 'circular' interest in Charleston.  Many are not aware of it, but over a century ago  Charleston SC was near the epicenter of a huge earthquake. 

The Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886 was the largest and most damaging earthquake to ever hit the east coast.   A magnitude 7 quake whose epicenter was only 25 miles away in Summerville,   hit Charleston with the force of a hurricane.  Most of the buildings sustained serious damage and had to be at least partially rebuilt.

Earthquake Survivor!

 In the rebuilding process, many buildings utilized a quaint and unique feature called an ‘earthquake bolt’.   The earthquake bolt consisted of a long, adjustable iron bar that ran through the walls and attached to a large bolt and washer-type apparatus.  The end of the bolt was visible and often decorated with ironwork or painted to accent the decor.

These round black disks visible on the facade of this building are the earthquake bolts.    I’ve never seen these used anywhere else.  So now if you see a pic of a house sporting those round black beauties, you’ll know you’re likely looking at an authentic Charleston antique!

And speaking of Summerville....Just outside Charleston,  you can walk for hours til your hearts content through acres and acres of cultivated gardens and plantings on the beautiful Magnolia Plantation near Summerville.

There are also peacocks galore strutting confidently about the grounds.  So watch where you step,  I’ve heard they are as temperamental as they are beautiful.

Now enough about ghosts and graveyards and earthquakes and peacocks.  The rest of our photo-journey will save for another day.

Be well, Friends, til we meet again,