Researching Historic Properties
If you are interested in researching an historic property in Charleston, there are a host of locally available institutions and resources.
Charleston County Public Library
With a Charleston County Public Library card, many resources are available online. You can apply for a library card online.
Historic Newspapers
- Navigate to the homepage
- Click research tab, select “Newspapers & Magazines,” and “The Charleston Collection”
- Search for keywords, names and addresses from this page.
Ancestry.com
(includes Census data, City Directories, genealogical resources, etc.)
- Navigate to the homepage
- Click research tab, select “Biography & Genealogy.” Under, Ancestry Library Edition, and Access the database inside a library branch or from home with your Charleston County Public Library.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
(shows building footprint, materials, etc.)
- Navigate to the homepage
- Click research tab, select “History & Geography” tab for Digital Sanborn Maps. Click Access the database inside a library branch or from home with your Charleston County Public Library card.
- Once you’re logged in, select the correct state and city in the dropdown menus. Maps are available from 1884-1955.
- How to use the maps: Go to the map key and find your property location. Navigate to the sheet number that corresponds with your property’s location.
Additional Online Resources:
Lowcountry Digital Library: Access to manuscripts, photographs, oral histories, digital exhibits.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps:
Other Maps:
- The Investiture of Charleston, S.C. by the English army, in 1780
- Iconography of Charleston, South Carolina, 1788
- Bird’s eye view of the city of Charleston, South Carolina 1872
- Halsey Map, 1949
In-Person Institutional Resources
South Carolina Room – Charleston County Public Library, 61 Calhoun Street, 2nd floor
Contact: 843.805.6959, [email protected]
Access to: Property files, maps, city directories, tax records, access to Ancestry.com
South Carolina Historical Society Special Collections/Reading Room – Addlestone Library, 205 Calhoun Street, 3rd floor, Room 340
By appointment only. Access appointment information here and Finding Aids here.
Access to: Manuscripts, letters, journals, mapsRare booksVisual materials and artifacts
Register Of Deeds Office, Charleston County — O.T. Wallace County Office Building, 101 Meeting Street, Room 200
Access to: Deeds, mortgages, plats, easements, and covenants
City Of Charleston Permit Center – Gaillard Center, 2 George Street, 1st floor
Open 9 AM – 2 PM, M-F, 843.577.5550
Access to: BAR property files, Survey cards, 1929 Sanborn Map
City Of Charleston Records Center – 2 George Street, 3rd floor
Contact: Meg Moughan, [email protected]
Access to: Permit records, plans, correspondence (by appointment only)
Avery Research Center – 125 Bull Street
By appointment only. Access appointment information here or call 843.853.7608.
Explore Avery’s Finding Aid here.
Access to: Manuscripts, photographs, oral histories