Step back in time with vintage postcards that touted—and often romanticized—the Holy City and its attractions from the 1930s to the ’70s

June 2022

WRITER:

Charleston Magazine Staff

PHOTOGRAPHER:

postcards courtesy of Digital Commonwealth unless otherwise stated

Cruise the Battery, explore sunny cypress swamps, and other iconic Holy City spots captured in time

Charleston Greets You: This illustrated card promoted the city’s architecture, gardens, and especially “the delicate wrought iron gateways, with their beautiful and intricate designs,” noting “the ironsmiths who made them developed their art to perfection. Much of the work was hand-hammered by slave labor.”

Fort Sumter Hotel: The seven-story hotel made its debut in 1923 as Charleston’s first luxury lodging, as well as the tallest building on the peninsula. Situated at 1 King Street and adjacent to White Point Garden, it was the city’s only hotel with waterfront views. In 1967, Sheraton purchased it and touted on the postcard above its “175 pleasant rooms overlooking historic harbor, White Point Gardens [sic], and famed Fort Sumter. Elegant Rampart Dining Room. Intimate Pink Coat Lounge, informal River Room.” In 1974, the building was converted into condominiums.

J & H Tourist Camp: “Charleston’s Newest and Best... 5 Miles North of Charleston, SC on US Highways 52 and 78. Hot and cold city water baths .... Modern Cafe Open Night and Day”

Tower Drive-in & Restaurant: “Every week hundreds of Charlestonians, as well as visitors to the city, enjoy the wonderful food, mouth-watering desserts, and soda fountain favorites served at ‘The Tower,’ located on King Street at Grove. ‘The Tower’ is famous not only for its curb service, but also for the restful atmosphere of its cozy dining room. A trip to ‘The Tower’ is an experience you’ll long remember.”

Lord Ashley Motor Court: “Winter and summer air conditioned, Tile Baths Beautyrest and Airfoam mattresses. Located two miles south of Charleston” on Highway 17.

Bay View Motor Court: “Nestled amidst Southern pines. Breeze off the Bay. Restaurant next door. Two miles from the ocean strand.”

Rose Garden Tourist Court: This motel, located downtown on Mount Pleasant Street at King Street where Joseph Floyd Manor now stands, advertised its “Coffee Shop—Steam Heat—80 rooms with bath and telephone.”

Fort Sumter & Battery: “This hotel on the famous Battery was named after historic Fort Sumter, located on a tiny island in Charleston Harbor, easily visible from the waterfront rooms of the Fort Sumter Hotel.”

At Full Sail: “Championship Snipe Racing, Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter Hotel, Charleston, SC”

Sunset in Battery Park: “Charleston was founded in 1670. It is a city rich in romance, tradition, and beauty. The famous High Battery is a delightful summer boulevard, park, and promenade along the city’s waterfront. This is a particularly beautiful scene of the silhouetted palms and sunset.”

East Battery, Looking North: “The Battery is a beautiful drive along a 1,500-foot seawall. It overlooks Charleston Harbor, offering a marvelous view of the historic harbor fortifications, and beyond the Atlantic Ocean.”

Pavilions & Amusement Centers: Folly Beach (above) and Isle of Palms “The Isle of Palms, with its wide, smooth beach, is unsurpassed anywhere in North America. The sand is fine, white and clean...”

Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse: The Charleston Light was dedicated on June 15, 1962.

Isle of Palms Fishing Pier: “Come on out—over 1,000 feet into the Atlantic and try your luck where the fish are. Equipment available for sale or rent. Oceanside accommodations adjacent.”

Folly’s Playground: (Above) The amusements and rides at the Atlantic Pavilion and “Parking on the Beach directly in front of Pavilion”

The Atlantic Pavilion on Folly Beach.

Boat Scene in Cypress Gardens: “23 miles north from Charleston are the Cypress Gardens of Dean Hall, a breathtakingly beautiful and most unique water garden. A canoe ride under the swaying moss hung tree is a delightful experience.”

Bridge in Magnolia Gardens:“Magnolia Garden [sic], renowned as the most beautiful spot in the world, is noted for its wealth of azalea and japonica, also for its wisteria-covered trees and mirror-like lagoons.”

Hampton Park: “This is a charming spot in Charleston’s Hampton Park, one of the 20 lovely parks within the city limits.”

Scene in Mateeba Gardens: “Mateeba Gardens are built on the estate of Lord Baron Ashley, granted in the year 1675. Visitors claim them ‘A Fairyland on Earth.’” Located just up the Ashley River from Middleton Place, the Wragg Plantation gardens were “open to the public from the mid-1940s until they were severely damaged by an ice storm about 1965,” according to the website, South Carolina Plantations

Middleton Gardens: “About 15 miles from Charleston, the famous Middleton Gardens are located on SC Highway 61. Here was the first formal garden in America, completed in 1750, and it was named after Arthur Middleton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.”