How about a look at the U.S. Customs & Border Protection in Charleston? It stands as a sentinel of trade and security. The U.S. Custom House at 200 East Bay Street is more than just a building. It’s a piece of Charleston’s rich history.
In the mid-19th century, Charleston’s U.S. Custom Service needed more space. They had outgrown their offices in the 1771 Exchange Building. Congress approved funds in 1847 for a new custom house. The waterfront site on the Cooper River was purchased in 1849 for $130,000. It was known as Fitzsimmon’s Wharf.
Private architects were invited to design the building in 1850. But none of the submissions were perfect. Ammi B. Young, Supervising Architect of the Treasury, combined elements from four designs. Construction began in 1853. Workers found remains of Craven’s Bastion, a Colonial-era fortification. The marshy ground required a timber grillage to support the building’s weight.
By 1859, the walls and columns were up. But Congress worried about costs and South Carolina’s potential secession. Funds were cut, halting construction. The Civil War began. Shells damaged the building during the bombardment of Charleston.
Work resumed in 1870 with revised plans. The original domed cupola and side porticos were removed. The building was finally completed in 1879. The total cost was $2.8 million. A stone wharf was added to the east front in 1893.
The U.S. Custom House served Charleston well into the next century. Plans to demolish it were announced in 1956. But public support saved it. Restoration funds were allocated in the 1960s.
In 1960, the building joined the Charleston Historic District. It was among the first National Historic Landmarks. The U.S. Custom House was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Ammi B. Young used Greek and Roman elements in his design. The three-story building has temple fronts on the east and west facades. The basement is rusticated granite. Broad steps lead to the main entries. Bronze doors feature limestone surrounds and triangular pediments. Windows have similar details.
Limestone Corinthian columns support colossal porticos on the east and west facades. Corinthian pilasters separate the bays. A full entablature sits above the columns. The frieze is unadorned except on the west facade. “United States Custom House” was carved there in 1964.
Inside, the lobbies have black and white marble tiles in a diamond pattern. A cast-iron stair leads to the second floor in the west lobby. The interior centers on a two-story cortile. It was originally intended as a rotunda with a sky-lit dome. Fourteen cast-iron Corinthian columns surround the space. They support an ornate cast-iron balcony. A coved, stenciled ceiling tops the cortile. It is adorned with patriotic symbols and classical motifs.
Most offices open onto the cortile. Some have original marble fireplaces. Interior doors have white marble surrounds. Some feature original embossed doorknobs with Treasury Department and Customs Service symbols.
The exterior has changed little. But the interior has been modernized. A heating system replaced stoves and coal grates in 1906. Plumbing and electric lighting were installed in 1910. The cortile ceiling was restored in 1968. The second-floor courtroom was restored in the 1990s. Projects between 2000 and 2011 included door and plaster restoration. Window refinishing, security and elevator upgrades, and repainting were also completed.
The U.S. Customs & Border Protection here stands as a testament to Charleston’s history. It has witnessed wars, economic shifts, and preservation efforts. Its classical design and enduring presence make it a landmark worth remembering.