East Battery, Charles Alston Residence

Copyright: The above image is considered Public Domain. Contact The Charleston Museum Archives for publication quality images and credit instructions.

Description:

Photograph showing the damage from the earthquake that occurred on August 31, 1886 to the residence of Charles P. Alston located at 21 East Battery. The home of Charles R. Holmes, Jr. is just visible to the left. Handwritten on reverse reads, "East Battery, just below Atlantic Street, Edmonston House, later the Charles Alston Residence. Now (1947) the residence of J.J. Pringle Smith. Old Holmes house on left. Earthquake of 1886 - Charleston, S.C." The 1886 Charleston City Directory lists Alston as well as various members of the Alston family at 21 East Battery. The 1947 directory lists John J. Pringle Smith at 21 East Battery.

George LaGrange Cook was a well-known photographer in Charleston who photographed the destruction of the 1886 earthquake soon after it happened, producing a series of images titled "Cook's Earthquake Views of Charleston and Vicinity" that could be purchased as souvenirs.



Charleston Earthquake scene. Written on reverse: 'East Battery, just below Atlantic Street. Edmonston [sic] House, later the Charles Alston residence. Now (1947) the residence of J.J. Pringle Smith. Old Holmes house on left. Earthquake of 1886 - Charleston, S.C.' [21 East Battery]