U. S. Post Office and Courthouse

The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse is a granite building with a corner tower, rusticated stonework, and balustraded balconies designed in Renaissance Revival and Mediterranean Revival styles. The interior contains postal services with mahogany details and marble staircases on the first floor, while a Victorian-style courtroom occupies the second floor.

The building was constructed in 1896 by architect John Henry Devereux on the site of a former guardhouse damaged during Charleston's 1886 earthquake. Its creation marked the city's architectural recovery and modernization following that natural disaster.

This courthouse stands at an intersection representing four different legal authorities: religious, municipal, state, and federal jurisdictions working within the same urban space. The location reflects how these separate systems coexist and shape daily civic life in Charleston.

The building is publicly accessible and located at a central intersection in Charleston where it is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should allow time to view both the exterior facade and interior details that showcase the building's craftsmanship.

The building was constructed using grey granite sourced from Winnsboro, South Carolina, and finished with red Brazilian marble inside. These imported and local materials together demonstrate the architects' goal of creating a structure of national importance.

Location: Charleston

Inception: 1896

Architects: John Henry Devereux

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture, Mediterranean Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 32.77583,-79.93167

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:05