United States Marine Hospital (Charleston, South Carolina)

The Old Marine Hospital is a historic medical building at 20 Franklin Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Built 1831–33 to a design by Robert Mills, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973 for its association with Mills, and as a high-quality example of Gothic Revival architecture. The hospital was built as a public facility for the treatment of sick sailors and other transient persons.

Old Marine Hospital
Old Marine Hospital in Charleston in 1934
Location20 Franklin St., Charleston, South Carolina
Coordinates32°46′40″N 79°56′13.7″W
Area.75 acres (0.30 ha)
Built1833
ArchitectRobert Mills
Architectural styleGothic Revival
Part ofCharleston Historic District (ID66000964)
NRHP reference No.73001690
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 7, 1973[1]
Designated NHLNovember 7, 1973[2]
Designated NHLDCPOctober 9, 1960

Description
Detail of the building facade in 2019

The Old Marine Hospital is located in the historic center of Charleston, on the east side of Franklin Street, just south of the Old Charleston Jail. It is a two-story masonry structure, with a hip roof and a raised, arcaded basement that is a characteristic Mills element. A two-story porch extends across the seven-bay facade, with entrances to the porch at the end bays, which have two-story Gothic arches. The porch bays are articulated by clusters of columns, and the iron railings also have a Gothic motif. The main entrance is at the center of the facade, with flanking bays containing tall Gothic windows. When originally built, the building had two long wings extending from its rear; these were damaged by fire and removed during restoration work.[3]

History

The City of Charleston undertook its operation in 1834, charging arriving ships a fee to support its operation.[3] During the Civil War, it was used for Confederate forces as well as seamen. It was badly damaged by Union bombardment.

From 1866 to 1870, the Episcopal Church ran a school for African American children. In 1895 to 1939, it was the home of the Jenkins Orphanage for young African American children. It was remodeled in 1939 for offices of the Housing Authority of Charleston.[4]

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.[2][3] The building was named one of the African American Historic Places in South Carolina.[5]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "Old Marine Hospital (Charleston)". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
  3. Tray Stephenson and Bernard Kearse (April 25, 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Old Marine Hospital" (pdf). National Park Service. Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying two photos, exterior, from 1973 (32 KB)
  4. Edgar, Walter. South Carolina Encyclopedia (2006) pp. 590-591, ISBN 1-57003-598-9
  5. African American Historic Places in South Carolina Archived 2009-03-30 at the Wayback Machine
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