William Aiken House and Associated Railroad Structures, Railroad landmark district in Charleston, United States

The William Aiken House is an 1807 Federal Adamesque wood-frame house at King and Ann Streets, two stories high with a two-story porch across its southern facade. The district also holds the Camden Depot on John Street and the Tower Depot on Mary Street, both completed in 1850, plus two 1850s warehouses and a brick Italianate car shop of 1857 near Line Street.

The South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company was founded at the Aiken House in 1827, with Irish immigrant William Aiken as its first president. Its 136-mile line to Hamburg, built between 1830 and 1833, was then the longest track under single management in the world. Aiken died during construction when his carriage overturned after horses were frightened by construction noise, and the locomotive Best Friend of Charleston exploded.

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.