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Broad Street

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Free Spirit
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4 out of 5
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1
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Broad Street

  • August 6, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Free Spirit from Hinesville, Georgia
Broad Street

There is one street in Charleston that is representative of the entire old city. Speak of living 'below Broad,' and native Charlestonians immediately know what that means. South of Broad one finds the Battery, huge homes with plaques on the buildings and wrought iron fences with gardens and carriage houses inside. Below Broad there are parks on the harbor and homes of families who trace their histories back to the beginning of South Carolina's history as a colony. That is not to say that all of Charleston's society and money are confined to the area, but it will be obvious that Broad Street and its environs are special. As a focal point, Broad connects with Charleston's most important streets for reaching all places in the city. They are Lockwood, Ashley, Rutledge, King, Meeting, and East Bay(which becomes East Battery). Most other streets that interest tourists (i.e. Market Street) cross those 6 major streets. Some are one way streets that traverse the city, and one needs to figure out where along them one wishes to go and to navigate accordingly. Either the Connector from James Island or Hwy 17 will lead into Lockwood South and thus to Broad. While the harbor isn't as open and natural to me with all the Connectors, I have never seen a more spectacular view of the city than I saw riding across the Connector from James Island. After following Lockwood to the west end of Broad, take time to walk around Colonial Lake, a Charleston landmark. Continuing down Broad, one reaches King St., which was the shopping area when I was young and is still a place to go, but one can not make a left onto King from Broad. Continue down Broad until you reach St. Michael's Church on Meeting St. It is on what is known as the Four Corners of Law (the church representing the law of God). Continue down Broad until you reach the end and are facing the old Exchange Building on East Bay. Take a right and enter the magical section of town with Rainbow Row, historic mansions, beautiful parks, and views of the harbor (to include Ft. Sumter) that make Charleston unique and one of the most popular places for citizens and tourists. Even though hundreds of tourists are in evidence, it is possible to find places to look out at the harbor and be alone with one's thoughts and feelings. Be prepared to explore and see as much as possible. To the north side of Broad there is evidence of tremendous urban renewal and progress. Wherever one goes from Broad Street, there will be sights that thrill and things to do.

From journal A Nostalgic Look--Charleston Revisited

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