A Sandlapper's Journal

A Charleston Single House on Meeting Street

The Charleston Single House

The Charleston Single House, unique to Charleston, SC, features a narrow, side-facing layout influenced by Caribbean architecture. Key design elements include side piazzas and central hallways. This style maximizes lot use, improves ventilation, and offers fire protection, reflecting historical and cultural adaptation.

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An aerial view of Charleston with the High Battery and Low Battery

Homes on The Battery

The Battery, a seawall and promenade, defines Charleston’s southern boundary. It has a long history of construction, destruction, and expansion since the 1720s. The Battery consists of two sections: the High Battery and the Low Battery, each with different heights and eras. It is home to many historic and grand homes, as well as the public park White Point Garden.

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Stamps and Coins of South Carolina

The postage stamps, ranging from the Charleston Sesquicentennial in 1930 to the Poinsettia Day stamp in 2013, vividly depict significant events, landmarks, and cultural elements that define South Carolina.

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Satellite image of Hurricane Hugo making landfall at Charleston in September 1989

After Hugo: A Stronger Charleston

Charleston became stronger after Hurricane Hugo in 1989 by improving its building codes, ecosystems, infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and economic diversity. Measures were taken to reduce the vulnerability and enhance the resilience of the Lowcountry to future storms.

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A photo of astronaut Dr. Ron McNair standing next to a model of the Space Shuttle with an American flag behind him

Astronaut Ron McNair

From the Ronald E. McNair Science and Technology Center in Charleston to the Ronald E. McNair Aerospace Charter School in North Charleston, his impact on educational programs is profound. McNair’s story is a testament to overcoming adversity and inspiring the next generation to reach for the stars in pursuit of knowledge and discovery.

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