CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA “THE FOUR CORNERS OF LAW”
Charleston has a historically significant downtown landmark known as “The Four Corners of Law” located at the intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets. Four buildings represent four institutions of federal, state, municipal and ecclesiastical law on each corner of the intersection.
On the southwest corner is the US Post Office and Courthouse which represents federal law. On the northwest corner is the Charleston County Courthouse which represents state law. On the northeast corner is City Hall built in 1802 that serves the municipal government. Finally, on the southeast corner is St.Michael’s Episcopal Church built between 1752 and 176. This corner represents ecclesiastical or divine law as a component in community life when the Anglican Church was the established church of the community. The intersection was coined “The Four Corners of Law” by Robert Ripley, creator of Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
No. 13 US Post Office and Federal Courthouse
Location: 85 Broad Street, Charleston SC 29401
Constructed: 1896
Architect: John Henry Devereux
Current Use: Courthouse adjacent to
National Register of Historic Places: 1974
This building, completed in the Second Renaissance Revival Style, includes a square tower, balustraded balconies, great double doors, quoins (corner blocks) and high and broad steps, all intended to represent an Italian Renaissance palace. The granite is from South Carolina. It has carved mahogany wainscot and elaborate mahogany window surrounds. A shield with stars and stripes is located behind the judge’s bench. Oil paintings of past US District Judges hang on the walls. The A J. Waites Waring Judicial Center with additional courtrooms was annexed to the 1896 Post Office and Courthouse in 1992. A beautiful fountain is now in a park adjacent to both buildings. Below are pictures of the preserved historic courtroom in the old courthouse.
No. 14: Charleston County Courthouse
Location: 84 Broad Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401
Constructed: 1790 - 1792
Architect: James Hoban
Current Use: Probate Court and General Sessions Court
Charleston Old Historic District
The three-story Neoclassical courthouse was designed by Irish architect James Hoban whose most famous building is the White House. Both buildings were modeled after Leinster House, the current seat of the Irish Parliament. This courthouse was built on the site of the ruins of the South Carolina Statehouse, which was the capitol building of the Colony the South Carolina under British rule. The capitol burned down in 1788.
Thanks to the cooperation of the security officers of the Federal Courthouse and the Charleston County Courthouse during my visit. They are rightly proud of their historic buildings.
