East Battery, William Ravenel Residence

Description:

Photograph showing the damage from the earthquake that occurred on August 31, 1886 to the rear residence of William Ravenel located at 13 East Battery Street. Handwritten on the bottom reads, "Charleston Earthquake Scene. - Ravenel Mansion, Battery". Caption on reverse reads,"House of Mr. Ravenell [sic], President Northeastern R.R." The 1886 Charleston City Directory lists William Ravenel at the incorrect address of 13 East Bay Street as the president of the Stono Phosphate Company and Alfred Ravenel at 13 East Battery as the president of the N.E.R.R. and E.R.R. companies.

Dr. E. P. Howland, a dentist from Washington D.C. and amateur photographer, took over 150 photographs of the earthquake damage in Charleston, the region of Ten Mile Hill and Summerville. He used them for his lectures on earthquakes and sold them as souvenirs for 25 cents apiece.

• Title: East Battery, William Ravenel Residence
• Photographer: Howland, E.P.
• Date: 1886

---

• Collection: Photograph Collection
• Object Name: Earthquake of 1886
• Object Id: MK 393
• Address: 13 East Battery

---

• Search Terms
  • Destruction of property
  • Earthquakes
  • Residences