Historic Charleston

Charleston dates back to 1670, when Charles II of England deeded land in the Carolina territory to eight friends known as the Lord Proprietors. The city flourished as a seaport and trading center and was quickly one of the most prosperous and cultured cities in the American colonies. Charleston has weathered impacts of the Civil War, Reconstruction, a devastating earthquake in 1886 and Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The city is steeped in history and tradition.