Page 14 - Volume 15 Number 1

Some of Charleston’s streets still date back to the
18th century. Walking tours of the city’s historic district are popular, whether self-guided or as part of a tour group. As with this street, it feels as though one is never more than a short stroll from a seaside vista in Historic Charleston.
34-hour bombardment. Hellfire rained down upon Fort Sumter from all directions – Fort Johnson (to the west), Fort Moultrie (to the east), Cummins Point (to the south), and Floating Battery (to the north). Union forces surrendered at 2:30 p.m. on April 13. The Confederacy had won this first battle but, as we all know, would ultimately lose the war. Nonetheless, Fort Sumter would remain in Confederate hands for almost the entire war, playing havoc with the Union’s naval blockade. It wasn’t until four years later (to the day) that Fort Sumter would officially be, again, under Union control. Though, by that time, much of it lay in piles of rubble from the many attacks and bombardments it endured while in Confederate hands.
All of these sites are readily accessible and enjoy some level of tourism today. Being part of the National Park System and designated a National Monument, Fort Sumter itself it by far the most popular. Ferries
to the fort depart regularly from Liberty Square (where the Fort Sumter Visitor Center and Ferry Terminal are located) and visitors can tour the fort and the museum that now reside within it at their own pace. Of particular interest are the daily flag raising and lowering ceremonies, both for their built-in history lessons and their patriotic flair. If your timing coincides, be sure to be at the central flagpole to watch (or participate).
The sun rises on the John Rutledge House (circa 1763). This beautiful B&B is just one of scores of old manor homes in Charleston that now function as B&Bs, fine dining restaurants, cafes, boutiques, etc. If your Charleston stay includes one or more overnights, skip the chain hotels and seek out such a B&B for a real taste of Charleston history, culture, and hospitality.
12 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2021