Thread: Charleston SC house

Explanations, theories, welcomed.
My wife took this photo over the weekend in Charleston, SC.

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Originally Posted by John Arnold

Explanations, theories, welcomed.

My explanation and theory:

She like it / thought it would make an interesting photo.

What are you referring to ... ?

That parapet wall at the front of the upper porch roof?

That difference in the roof?

That lower front siding difference?

That parapet thingy.
My theory is that it's just a decorative facade, but I've never seen anything like it.

Originally Posted by John Arnold

That parapet thingy.

I see, using a technical term on me, are you? Trying to confuse me, huh?

My theory is that it's just a decorative facade, but I've never seen anything like it.

I agree.

That tries to hide the fact that there is a flat roof behind it, of course, though, it would have helped if they as turned the corner with it and taken it back to the second column.

Looks like they tried to hide views from the street in lower areas and there as well. Why?
There is a roof hatch in the photo.
So, nude sunbathing would be my guess.
Was there a church across the street?

Charleston is over 300 years old.

The photo does not show the orginal porch and entry way.


Many Charleston houses were skinny side to the road in order to reduce potential taxes from the British. The porch was on the side of the house and was accessible via a door which, when closed, indicated that the household was not receiving guests. The main door is in the centre of the porch. It was considered rude to look onto another houses porches. This is why the other side of the house, which faces the neighbours house, would often have no windows.

I think the house your wife saw has had it's porch remodeled. The steps should be on the street side.

Thanks Stephen.
Interesting info.

Originally Posted by Stephen Houmard

I think the house your wife saw has had it's porch remodeled. The steps should be on the street side.

Stephen,

Not knowing anything at all about houses there, if those steps were on the street side, they would have gone well back into the porch, or am I looking at that wrong?

It apears the "new front porch" has a cement block foundation with foundation vents. The home is likley built in the mid to late 1800's, Most of the old homes were built then.
The foundation of the porch likley rotted from termites and floods as most of them here in Charleston.
The homes are built with a brick foundation and piers. The porches were wood in contact with the ground and open in the front to allow air flow. This porch has been replaced.

Most of the older homes in Charleston suffered from the earthquake in the late 1800's we have large rods running through the home holding them together...are old homes are so twisted it is funny.

CCPL - Charleston County Public Library - South, Carolina

Charleston Real Estate: by Eve Olasov, BIC

Originally Posted by Stephen Houmard

This porch has been replaced.

But ... but the entire house is at that level, and looks like it has a similar foundation wall???