College of Charleston – Charleston, South Carolina

The College of Charleston was chartered on March 19, 1785 to “encourage and institute youth in the several branches of liberal education.” Today, the College of Charleston is a renowned liberal arts and science college that has successfully retained its historic character. The school is the oldest college or university south of Virginia, and is the 13th oldest institution of higher learning in the country.

Its main campus is located in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. The building pictured here, Randolph Hall, is listed in the National Historic Register, along with the nearby library and gate lodge.

In the foreground stands an old cistern, which was built in 1857 to help control flooding and fight fires. Eventually this technology became outdated and the cistern was filled in and covered with grass. The Cistern Yard is shaded by live oak trees and is a favorite spot for students to relax and study. It is also the location of the College’s graduation ceremony each May on Mothers’ Day.

SCIWAY thanks William Stuart Morgan III of Columbia for this picture taken in July 2012.

Learn more about the history of the College of Charleston.