East Bay Street, Post Office

Description:

Photograph showing the damage from the earthquake that occurred on August 31, 1886 to the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon building at 122 East Bay Street. During this time it was operating as the Post Office. Caption on reverse reads, "Taken after the 31st of August, 1886. No. 10, Post Office." Handwritten at the bottom reads, "Charleston Earthquake Scene - Post Office Building - Condemned." The Post Office eventually moved from this site to a new building constructed on the ruins of police station (see 1995.50.2) at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets.

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.

• Title: East Bay Street, Post Office
• Photographer: Cook, George LaGrange, 1849-1919
• Date: 1886

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• Collection: Photograph Collection
• Object Name: Earthquake of 1886
• Object Id: MK 8074
• Address: 122 East Bay Street

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• Search Terms
  • Destruction of property
  • Earthquakes
  • Horse-drawn carriages
  • Post offices