Current Watch Site

Charleston was founded in 1670 by English colonists and relocated in 1680 to its present location, where the Ashley and Cooper rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean. Charleston’s importance as a port is reflected in the fine collection of buildings that epitomize American social and architectural history. Residential, commercial, administrative, and ecclesiastical buildings in Georgian, Regency, Federal, Adamesque, Classical, Greek and Gothic Revival, and Italianate styles dot the historic city. Charleston pioneered urban preservation in the United States as the first city in the country to enact a local historic district ordinance in 1931. Its protection is of national importance, not only because of its diverse architectural heritage, but also because of its critical role in the development of historic preservation policy in the United States.

Charleston Historic District lies on a peninsula in Charleston harbor, which now accommodates cruise ships of a substantial size. The waves of increased visitors impact the city’s urban and social fabric, and the concerns in Charleston echo challenges faced in many historic port cities with cruise ship tourism. More tourists bring economic benefits, but they also create increased traffic that requires careful planning to assure the continuing protection of the historic urban center, which has evolved over the centuries but retains the distinct character of a city formed in an earlier time. Balancing the preservation of heritage, quality of life needs, and new economic opportunities is a constant and complex dialogue. As witnessed in many places around the world, the rapid, unregulated growth in cruise ship arrivals compels the development of a sustainable plan that will encourage tourism and a thriving historic center. It is hoped that such a plan can serve as a model for many other historic port cities and towns worldwide that confront similar issues.

Download a 2012 Watch poster of this site (see download instructions).

IN THE MEDIA

• Historic District on new watch list
  The Post and Courier, October 6, 2011
  
• Mayor disagrees with assessment of Charleston as endangered city (video)
  Live5News, October 6, 2011
  
• Fixing Charleston's Cruise Problems
  Cruisemates, October 7, 2011
  
• Charleston, S.C., lands on a list of endangered sites – again
  Los Angeles Times, October 7, 2011
  
• Peak cruising season: Charleston will have hosted 13 cruise ship visits from Oct. 16 through Nov. 4
  The Post and Courier, October 20, 2011