Pink House, Charleston

Distinct from the Olde Pinke House in Savannah, GA, this picturesque abode claims to be the oldest masonry residence in Charleston and the second oldest in the nation, constructed between 1694 and 1712. The applied 18-inch-thick Bermuda Stone, a coral stone from West India, gave it an innate pink hue. Although it has been repainted since, the current color retains its distinctive character.

The building's architectural peculiarity is also evident in its design, featuring low ceilings and just one room on each of the three floors. The roof, crafted from pantiles akin to those on the Powder Magazine, dates to the 18th century when the house functioned as a tavern (rumored to have had a brothel upstairs) catering to sailors, merchants, and pirates passing through Charleston's port in search of "whiskey, wenches, and wittles". This area of Charleston, now fashionable, back in the day was rather disreputable, known for rowdy nights.

The Pink House continued its role as a tavern throughout the 1700s until the neighborhood underwent revitalization, transforming into a predominantly residential area in the 1800s. Since then, the building has served various purposes, including as a publishing house, a law office, and the studio of the renowned Charleston artist, Alice Ravenel Huger Smith. For two decades, it also housed an art gallery.

Why You Should Visit:
There are few remaining cobblestone streets in town, and none is more delightful than this one. Lovely setting!