Did the Dock Street Theatre always stand here, on Church Street? No. The Dock Street Theatre’s story starts much earlier, in 1736, on Dock Street. That original theater, the first in the colonies built specifically for performances, premiered George Farquhar’s “The Recruiting Officer.” It even hosted America’s first opera performance, “Flora.” Sadly, this theatrical gem was likely lost in the devastating fire of 1740. Fast forward to 1809. A new building rises on our current location, the Planter’s Hotel. It catered to wealthy planters visiting Charleston for the horse races. Robert Smalls, a future Civil War hero and congressman, worked here as a waiter. The hotel even claims the invention of the famous Planter’s Punch. The Planter’s Hotel wasn’t without its drama. Junius Brutus Booth, father of John Wilkes Booth, once nearly killed the hotel manager in a fit of rage. After the Civil War and further damage from the 1886 earthquake, the hotel fell into disrepair. Decades of neglect followed, almost erasing this historical landmark. But in the 1930s, hope arrived with the Works Progress Administration. The dilapidated building was reborn not as a hotel, but as the Dock Street Theatre we see today, within the hotel’s shell. The grand foyer remained, the dining room became the box office lobby. The stage house and auditorium were new additions, modeled on 18th-century London playhouses and constructed with local black cypress. Woodwork and mantels from the demolished Radcliffe-King Mansion were incorporated, adding a touch of another lost Charleston treasure. In 2010, a $19 million renovation brought the Dock Street Theatre into the 21st century with state-of-the-art features, preserving its historical charm while ensuring its future as a cultural hub. The Dock Street Theatre continues to entertain, host Charleston Stage Company productions, and perhaps, the spirit of Nettie. This rumored resident ghost, a former prostitute, is said to wander the theater in a tattered red dress, a reminder of Charleston’s vibrant and sometimes tragic past.
Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic Headquarters
From its humble beginnings to its current status, the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic Headquarters remains a critical asset. It’s