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Charleston City Hall

Charleston, Italy

Charleston City Hall

The Charleston City Hall is a building designed by Gabriel Manigault. The city bought the building and began using it as Charleston's City Hall in 1819, making it the second longest serving city hall in the United States (second only to New York City's). The site of City Hall was a beef market in 17

39, but the market was destroyed in a fire in 1796, and the corner parcel was conveyed to the Charleston branch of the First Bank of the United States in 1800. The construction of the bank was overseen by Edward Magrath and Joseph Nicholsen (carpenters) and by Andrew Gordon (mason). While the building was being repairs in 1882, the mayor worked out of Market Hall and other city officials worked from the Union Bank on East Bay Street and the Mills House. The building was modified in 1882 when the stucco was applied over the formerly exposed brickwork, and a metal roof was added. The interior of the building was gutted at that time, and the current City Council chambers on the second floor were built. Henry Oliver was paid $14,000 as the contractor. The 1882 project had three missions: (1) a new roof, (2) accommodating all city offices, and (3) convenient public access. The work began on May...

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