08.14.2024

Today’s Forecast

86º | 24% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:41 a.m. | Sunset 8:06 p.m.
High tide 4:15 p.m. | Low tides 9:36 a.m. + 10:44 p.m.

🌈 Fact or fiction: Rainbow Row

What’s the story behind Rainbow Row: drunken sailors or copycat neighbors?

This photo shows a yellow, green, blue, and pink home.

Rainbow Row is a stretch of bright-colored historic homes along East Bay Street. | Photo by @asenseofhuber

One of Charleston’s most recognizable + photographed areas is the iconic Rainbow Row. The block of 13 colorful, private historic homes stretching along East Bay Street represents the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the US. We’re here to set the record straight on some local legends about the vibrant colors of these historic homes.

Takin’ it back to the mid-18th century

In the mid-1700s, the row of houses on East Bay Street was originally constructed as a commerce center on the waterfront, serving the wharves + docks at the port. The shop merchants lived on the second floor, with their storefronts on the bottom level.

Screen Shot 2018-08-01 at 11.47.56 AM — Here’s a look a Rainbow Row in 1910.
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Photo via markjonesbooks.com

An attempt at preservation

In 1920, Susan Pringle Frost, the founder of the now Preservation Society of Charleston, wanted to give new life to the buildings.

In 1931, Charleston adopted the country’s first Historical Zoning Ordinance, which helped maintain + protect the historical homes. That same year, Judge Lionel Legge + his wife Dorothy Porcher Legge purchased a section of the homes from 99 to 101 East Bay St. As they started renovating, they chose to paint the exterior of the houses in a bright, pastel pink — as a homage to the city’s Caribbean roots.

preservation-society-fall-tours-charleston-sc — Susan Pringle Frost, the founder of the now the Preservation Society of Charleston, wanted to give new life to the buildings.
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Photo provided by the Preservation Society of Charleston

Truth revealed

Throughout the late 1930s + 1940s, other homeowners in the neighborhood decided to copy their style — also painting their abodes in bold, Caribbean colors as a way to improve the aesthetics + keep the houses cooler during the warmer months. It was this action that helped the stretch of homes earn the name “Rainbow Row.”

Like most historic landmarks, Rainbow Row comes with numerous anecdotes about the original reason for the colors. But as far as history can tell, the stories that say the houses were painted brightly to point drunken sailors in the right direction, or those that state merchants used the colors to identify goods, are just that — stories.

A closer look at the homes

Asked

How do you celebrate or enjoy Rainbow Row?

A. I’ve taken a selfie
B. I own Rainbow Row merch
C. I take visitors here when they are in town
D. I take in the beauty during strolls through the area

Let us know

Events

Wednesday, Aug. 14

Archaeology in Action | Wednesday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Sept. 14 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Nathaniel Russell House | $7-$15 | Get up close with archaeologists as they unearth discoveries from a historic cellar.

Thursday, Aug. 15

The Citadel vs UNC Asheville | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 4-6 p.m. | The Citadel | Free | Cheer on the Bulldogs as the women’s soccer season gets underway.
Exclusive Storeroom Tour | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Charleston Museum | $40-$55 | Join Curator of Historic Textiles for an exclusive preview tour of the objects going into the new exhibit — Beyond the Ashes: The Lowcountry’s New Beginnings.
Dan + Shay: Heartbreak On The Map Tour | Thursday, Aug. 15 | 7 p.m. | Credit One Stadium | $11+ | Join this country pop music duo for a night that will leave you “Speechless.”

Friday, Aug. 16

Moonlight Mixer | Friday, Aug. 16 | 7-10 p.m. | Folly Beach Fishing Pier | $10-$15 | Dance the night away under the stars.

100+ events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming soon

Chick N Max, a Kansas-based restaurant, has plans to open seven locations in the Charleston area. The chain will offer 12 types of chicken sandwiches, wings, and tenders. The company estimates it will bring ~175 jobs to the Lowcountry. (Charleston Regional Business Journal)

Environment

Lowcountry Land Trust has transferred 206 acres along the Edisto River to SCDNR for public use. This property will soon become open to the public for fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing.

Travel

Charleston International Airport has added a new nonstop option for folks traveling to Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport. The new service will become available on Thursday, Feb. 6. The flight will be offered four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Watch

A pair of local brothers debuted their Lowcountry surf film on YouTube. The 30-minute clip explores surf culture and surf craft here in Charleston. Check it out.

History

There are so many ways to explore and take in Charleston’s beauty, and one of those ways is by boat. Take a look at how folks navigated getting a view of the Holy City from the water then and now.

Shop

These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*^†

Finance

Good news: Rates are expected to go down soon. Compare fixed-rate loans and HELOCs to find your best way to borrow — calculate your payment.*

Community

Spread the local love with CHStoday’s Best

TodaysBest-LastDay-Secondary-NL-06.25.24_CHS.png

What local businesses will you nominate? | Graphic by 6AM City

Meet: CHStoday’s Best. From outdoor dining to kid-friendly activities, we’re asking for your insight on the top-tier spots Charleston has to offer.

There are only two days left to nominate, so let’s get right down to business.

How do I nominate?

Nominations are officially open and close Friday, Aug. 16. Click on this form to start nominating in various categories.

When does voting start?

Voting will open Monday, Sept. 2 and close Friday, Sept. 20.

What about the winners?

The winners for each category will be announced Friday, October 4. Now that you have the details, it’s time to celebrate local biz. Ready, set, nominate.

Ready, set, nominate

The Buy

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More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Callie

From the editor

Last week, we asked you about your favorite free things to do around town, and the results are in.

66.7%: Visit a local beach
14.7%: Other
9.3%: Artwalks
9.3%: Enjoy a park

For those who said other, what do you like to do?

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