William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures


  • Address: 456 King St
  • Vicinity: Railroad Right-of-Way runs from Linen Street Shops to Hutson St and between King St and Meeting St
  • Neighborhood of Mazyck Wraggborough in Charleston, SC
  • Phone: 843.853.0246
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Historic District
  • Available for private functions


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1807/00/00 William Aiken Jr Home The Aiken family makes a home at 456 King Street. Original portion of the William Aiken House is built in the Adam tradition on King Street at Ann Street by James Mackie.
1811/00/00 William Aiken Sr Home William Aiken buys the Mackie House from the trustees of the minor James Mackie.
1827/12/19 William Aiken Sr Work The South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company is chartered by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly. The company meets at the home of its first president, William Aiken. Birth of the American Railroads
1827/12/19 South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company Established The South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company is chartered by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly. The company meets at the home of its first president, William Aiken. Birth of the American Railroads
1830/12/25 South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company Owner The "Best Friend of Charleston" steam locomotive begins operations, carrying passengers for 6 miles (9.6 km) "on the wings of wind at the speed of fifteen to twenty-five miles per hour (24 to 40 kmh)." Birth of the American Railroads
1831/06/00 Immediately after the death of William Aiken Sr, his widow Henrietta Watt, builds the Octagonal Wing of the house. The 2nd floor ballroom features tall windows and elaborate ceiling ornaments.
1850/00/00 Edward Brickell White Architect Tower Passenger Depot and double warehouses are built between Ann and John Streets, 1849-1850. Tower Depot at 39 John Street is a head type station (trains pull in, then back) which impedes train traffic.
1850/00/00 South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company Owner Camden Depot, erected at 25 Ann Street in 1850 with additional work in 1910, features a crenelated tower portal.
1852/00/00 South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company Owner Built in c 1850, the Tower Passenger Depot at 37 John Street is converted into a freight depot.
1856/00/00 South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company Owner Deans Warehouse is built at 375 Meeting Street of brick with a gable roof, stepped parapets and round parapets.
1857/00/00 South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company Owner South Carolina Railroad Warehouse is erected at 32 Ann Street across from Camden Depot.
1886/08/31 The Octagonal Wing of the William Aiken House at King and Ann Streets is seriously damaged by the Charleston Earthquake and has to be trussed. 1886 Charleston Earthquake
1886/08/31 The Charleston earthquake of August 1886 destroys Camden Depot's three story tower at 25 Ann Street. 1886 Charleston Earthquake
1928/00/00 West Point Foundry Manufacturer "Best Friend of Charleston" steam locomotive replica is built by West Point Foundry in Cold Spring, New York. The train is located at 32 Ann Street in Charleston, SC.
1930/00/00 Southern Railway Company Owner Woodwork, a mantel and putty ornaments are removed from the 1st floor of the William Aiken Houseand are use to decorate office the Southern Railway's presidential office.

Places

PlaceAsNotedInType
PlaceAsNotedInType
Line Street Car and Carpenter Shops

Data »

Particulars for William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures:
Sight Category Historic District
Criteria Historic Event
Level of Significance National
Owner Private
Area of Significance Railroad
Historic Use Secondary structure
Historic Use Single dwelling
Area of Significance Transportation
Building Type Warehouse



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration: 15th October 1966

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name: Aiken, William, House and Associated Railroad Structures
Registry Address: 456 King St.
Registry Number: 66000698
Resource Type: District
Owner: Private
Architect: unknown
Architectural Style: No style listed
Area in Acres: 20
Contributing Buildings: 9
Non-Contributing Buildings: 1
Other Certification: Designated National Landmark, National Landmark boundary approved
Certification: Listed in the National Register
Nominator Name: National Historic Landmark
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: National
Area of Significance: Transportation
Applicable Criteria: Event
Period of Significance: 1850-1874, 1825-1849, 1800-1824
Significant Year: c 1807, 1811, 1831
Historic Function: Domestic, Transportation, Commerce, Trade
Historic Sub-Function: Single dwelling, Rail-related, Secondary structure, Warehouse
Current Function: Recreation and Culture, Commerce, Trade, Transportation
Current Sub-Function: Museum Professional Rail-related

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