Cigar Factory

The Cigar Factory is a five-story brick Victorian building located at the intersection of East Bay, Columbus, and Blake Streets in downtown Charleston. Its structure features segmental arch windows and wooden support posts, and today it houses restaurants, offices, salons, and an event venue after a major renovation completed in 2017.

The building was first constructed as a cotton mill in 1881 and was converted into an American Cigar Company facility in 1912. It became Charleston's largest private employer during the 1930s.

The factory became a gathering place during the 1945-1946 labor strike, where workers adapted the song 'We Shall Overcome' that would later define the civil rights movement. This connection transformed the building into a symbol of worker activism and social change.

The building sits in downtown Charleston at a busy intersection and is easily accessible on foot from other historic sites. Visitors can explore the ground floor shops and restaurants during the day, and the structure is open for tours and events throughout the week.

During peak operations, the factory produced popular Certified Cremo and Roi-Tan cigars, leading workers to affectionately call the building Cremo College. This nickname reflected how deeply the factory had shaped the lives and identities of those who worked there.

Location: South Carolina

Inception: 1882

GPS coordinates: 32.79778,-79.93467

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:04