Support Us Button Widget

Charleston Hat Man mural

hat man

Charleston Hat Man | Photo: CHStoday

Table of Contents

Have you ever heard of Charleston’s Hat Man? It’s a mural adorning the side of a building on the corner Broad and Church Streets – and, like much of our city’s history, it’s a bit more complex than how it first appears.

The Hat Man was painted in the late 1800s to advertise the Plenge Haberdashery – a former occupant of the building at 43-47 Broad Street. It’s been touched up several times over the centuries, but the design stays true to the original painting.

hat man close

Charleston Hat Man | Photo: CHStoday

At first glance, you see a smiling man holding an umbrella and a cane. But look a little closer. The man is actually made up of sixteen different hats of twelve varying styles. Can you find them all?

Poll

More from CHStoday
The Magnolia Landing development will span 192 acres and provide working, housing, dining, and entertainment options for the community.
It’s not just Charleston getting the praise; the Lowcountry has several hotels, resorts, and islands honored in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
We keep an eye on your clicks to make sure CHStoday is always filled with content you love.
Sponsored
Charleston has a packed list of races to get prepared for throughout the year
Deep dive into this guide and learn how to navigate the annual two-day music festival loaded with live music and food inspired by the Lowcountry.
Dining in the Holy City is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
The Swedish car company is celebrating 70 years, and it has sold more than 5 million cars in the US.
The annual festival will be back on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. The Charleston Beer Fest will offer tastings from 75+ breweries, live music, and a variety of local vendors.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.