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In the decades after the Civil War, Charleston’s Upper King Street district became a booming commercial enclave of newly immigrated merchants. It is in this area, which extended along Upper King Street from Calhoun Street to approximately Line Street, that German, Polish and Russian Jewish families - among others - created a self-sustaining commercial district that serviced the northern neighborhoods on the Charleston peninsula and became integral to the revival of the city’s post Civil War economy.
Most of the historical buildings survive. Through recent widespread restoration and rehabilitation of the corridor’s building’s, Upper King Street has emerged as a vibrant entertainment district with a high degree of historic integrity and again as one of the most economically-important thoroughfares in the city.
Now it is time to honor the history of the people and places who established the legendary corridor. This district will honor the journey and culture of those Jewish merchants and other immigrants that built the buildings of Upper King and the family businesses they operated.
What Are The Benefits of A National Register Listing?
- This National Register listing would honor the history of these buildings on a national level and put it on the map as a culturally important corridor to both America’s and Charleston’s history.
- A historic district listing for the area would make all property owners within the district boundaries eligible to receive historic tax credits for any restoration or rehabilitations of the buildings.
- It is time for this section of Upper King to gain the historic recognition it is worthy of and finally honor the story of the immigrants who created their businesses there on a national level.
Photo provided by Dale Rosengarten, CofC Jewish Studies Special Collections.
Your gift today will honor the history of the merchants that helped to build the Jewish and greater Charleston community.
Funding will be used to support the work of an architectural history consulting firm to produce an inventory of the districts 100+ buildings and complete a formal National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination that showcases the architectural and cultural significance of this historic area of Upper King Street. The nomination will incorporate over 1,000 oral histories conducted by the Jewish Heritage Collection at the College of Charleston and other historic documentation for every single building within the boundaries. The firm needs approximately $120,000 to complete this project.
Please make your tax-deductible gift today:
- Online using the form below
- Call Rebecca Engel at 843-614-6484 to pay with credit card over the phone
- Checks can be sent to Charleston Jewish Federation, 176 Croghan Spur Road, Suite 100, Charleston, SC 29407. Please note: "Upper King Street"
Thank you for your gift, which honors the history of the merchants that helped to build the Jewish and greater Charleston community.
Funding will be used to support the work of an architectural history consulting firm to produce an inventory of the districts 100+ buildings and complete a formal National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination that showcases the architectural and cultural significance of this area of Upper King Street. The nomination will incorporate over 1,000 oral histories conducted by the Jewish Heritage Collection at the College of Charleston and other historic documentation for every single building within this district. The firm needs approximately $120,000 to complete this project.
To make an even bigger impact, spread the word! Tell your community why you support this effort by sending an email (info@jewishcharleston.org) or sharing your support on social media.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@jewishcharleston.org.
Photo provided by Dale Rosengarten, CofC Jewish Studies Special Collections.