Inspired by world’s fairs, the expo was designed to stimulate trade through the harbor
A parade of horse-drawn floats moves through the streets of Charleston on December 1, 1901, kicking off the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition. Inspired by world’s fairs in other cities and the desire to stimulate trade through the harbor, a group of progressive young businessmen obtained land north of the city along the Ashley River for construction of temporary buildings and exhibits on subjects ranging from agriculture to transportation. After the end of the exposition, which ran until June 20, 1902, the city acquired the eastern portion of the grounds for use as Hampton Park.
