SHAW MEMORIAL SCHOOL, 22 Mary Street: Charleston’s tolerance as a community may be illustrated in the Shaw school for negroes. Since 1874 this institution has been in the Charleston city school system. It is a memorial to Colonel Robert G. Shaw, Union officer, who fell at the head of his regiment of negro troops in the assault on Battery Wagner, Morris Island, in the War for Southern Independence. His family provided the “spacious school house” for negroes, the land having been bought in 1868. The Shaw Monument Fund was supported entirely from the North until 1874.
Strawberry, Chapel of Ease to Biggin
St. James Church, Goose Creek
POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA, Named for Joel Roberts Poinsett: The Poinsettia is commonly known as Charleston’s flower. It was brought from Mexico by Joel Roberts Poinsett, about 1828. “There is some difference of opinion,” says Dr. Gabriel Manigault, “as to whether Mr. Poinsett discovered it himself or simply introduced it to this country.” After his retirement from a busy and distinguished public service, Mr. Poinsett’s home “had always been in the City of Charleston.” His residence was “situated upon what is now Rutledge Avenue, on the east side, a few squares above Calhoun Street. The house ... was recessed some distance from the street, and stood in the midst of a grove of live oaks; it was generally known as Poinsett’s Grove.” Mr. Poinsett was representative in congress, minister to Mexico in an eventful period, Secretary of War under President Van Buren, a rice planter who contributed much to the improvement of the grain.
CHARLESTON’S HOTELS: The Francis Marion, at King and Calhoun Streets, in the heart of the retail shopping district, facing Marion Square, was opened in the spring of 1924. Its building was a community enterprise.
The Fort Sumter, facing the Battery, at the foot of King Street, on the Ashley River, was opened in 1924. It maintains a dock for yachts. It is in the exclusive residential section.
The St. John Hotel, built by Otis Mills, a caravansary with a long and a distinguished record, is at the southwest corner of Meeting and Queen Streets. President Theodore Roosevelt stayed here in the winter of 1902.
The Timrod Hotel, opposite Washington Square, is a comfortable and convenient place in the building formerly occupied by the Commercial Club.