Charleston’s Rainbow Row
There are only a handful of US cities that can compete with Charleston when it comes to history and architecture. While there are an overwhelming number of specific sites and attractions in and around Charleston, simply wandering the streets of the French Quarter or along the Battery is one of the best ways to experience this historic city. Strolling the palm tree-lined streets will transport you back in time to the antebellum south, and perhaps one of the most interesting and recognizable architectural features you’ll come across is Rainbow Row. These thirteen pastel colored Georgian row homes are featured on many a postcard and are just as interesting as they are photogenic.
Location
Rainbow Row is located on East Bay Street between Elliott Street and Tradd Street. Since Charleston is so small, it is within reasonable walking distance from most places downtown. The addresses of the homes that comprise Rainbow Row are 79-107 East Bay Street.
History
When the row homes of what is today known as Rainbow Row were originally built in the mid-late 1700’s, they were not so colorful. In fact, the pastel colors came over 150 years later when they were restored in the 1930’s and 40’s. At the time of construction, the houses had direct frontage on the Cooper River since the are east of East Bay Street had not yet been filled in. The homes belonged to merchants who used the first floor as commercial space while living in the upper levels.
Following the Civil War, this area of the city became extremely dilapidated, and it was not until 1931 that the revitalization of Rainbow Row began. It was at this time that Dorothy Haskell Porcher Legge purchased 99-101 East Bay and began restoring them. With the hopes of brightening up the neighborhood and paying homage to the city’s colonial Caribbean heritage, she decided to paint her houses pastel pink (it also apparently helps keep the homes cool during the miserably hot South Carolina summers). It soon became evident that she had started a trend, and over the next 15 years the majority of the remaining homes had been renovated and painted by new private owners. Today, city ordinances are in place to ensure that future owners maintain the now-famous color scheme.
Exploring Nearby
While Rainbow Row is one of the city’s most iconic sites, many of the nearby streets are just as charming and historic. If you take the time to explore neighboring streets in the French Quarter (just north of Rainbow Row) or along the Battery (just south of Rainbow Row) you will not be disappointed.