Charleston Arsenal, Military arsenal in Charleston, United States.
The Charleston Arsenal is a two-story brick building on Meeting Street that encloses an interior courtyard with design features from multiple construction periods. The structure retains its fortress-like appearance while adapting to modern commercial use.
The arsenal was built between 1825 and 1832 to store weapons and ammunition for the U.S. military. Control shifted in 1860 when South Carolina militia forces took over the facility during the Civil War crisis.
The facility transformed from a military storage site to The Citadel military academy in 1842, preparing generations of military leaders for South Carolina.
The building now functions as a hotel and is visible to visitors from its public facade on Meeting Street. The original arsenal architecture remains intact and contributes to the historic character of downtown.
Citadel cadets stationed at the arsenal fired the first shots of the Civil War on January 9, 1861, targeting the Union vessel Star of the West.
Location: Charleston
GPS coordinates: 32.78667,-79.94778
Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:05
College of Charleston
951 m
Isaac Jenkins Mikell House
833 m
Johnson Hagood Stadium
1.1 km
Marion Square
1.1 km
Charleston Museum
1.2 km
Joseph Manigault House
1.2 km
Gov. William Aiken House
1.3 km
Grace Church Cathedral
1.2 km
William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures
1 km
Denmark Vesey House
802 m
James Sparrow House
462 m
Sottile Theatre
1.2 km
West Point Rice Mill
920 m
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
670 m
Mace Brown Museum of Natural History
788 m
Gov. Thomas Bennett House
590 m
Robert Barnwell Rhett House
498 m
Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity
1.2 km
William Blacklock House
863 m
Coming Street Cemetery
578 m
Jonathan Lucas House
467 mAlbert Sottile House
935 m
James Nicholson House
208 m
Robert Gibbes House
1.3 km
William Robb House
81 m
Richard Brenan House
733 m
John Scott House
1.1 km
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Charleston
684 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes