"German Lutheran Church, Charleston, looking N.W." This Howland photograph
evidently was shot several weeks after the August 31, 1886, earthquake because
the sheds are still in place around the perimeter of Marion Square. Literally thousands of Charleston residents occupied Marion Square and other parks and
open areas in Charleston following the great earthquake. They chose not to
return to their houses during the night, fearing that additional earthquake tremors would bring their dwelling down on them. The scene in this photograph
catches this untoward way of life before the last of the makesshift shanties
were dissembled and thier occupants returned to their homes or other more permanent places of shelter.
(South Caroliniana Library Archives) |