William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures, Railroad landmark district in Charleston, United States
The William Aiken House on King Street is a Federal Adamesque building with a two-story porch on its south side. The property also includes two depot buildings in Gothic Revival style and several other historic railroad structures on the grounds.
The South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company was founded here in 1827 and built a railroad line between 1830 and 1833. This line connected Charleston to Hamburg and was an early development in American railroad expansion.
The house displays architectural elements from the early days of American railroad development that visitors can see in the rooms today. These details tell the story of how important railroad construction was to Charleston and the surrounding region.
The building is today open as an event venue with ballrooms and courtyard spaces. Visitors should be aware that access may be limited depending on events, so it is best to check ahead.
Southern Railway purchased the house in 1929 and relocated several decorative elements to its offices in Washington. This relocation shows how important the site was to the railroad industry in the early 1900s.
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