A Historic Partnership

For over 75 years, Historic Charleston Foundation has established a legacy of preserving the historic landscape of Charleston and the Lowcountry and contributed significantly to the management of the region’s growth. Embracing the unique fabric and culture of Charleston—through a wide range of advocacy initiatives, historic easements, and an innovative oral history program–the Foundation is a significant voice and authority in the broader Charleston community.

As such, Navy Yard Charleston and Historic Charleston Foundation are excited about the ongoing partnership and will share details as it continues to flourish.

Check out more videos

A community sprouts

The Charleston Navy Yard has maintained a naval presence on the North Charleston waterfront for nearly a century providing career opportunities for community members in the neighboring areas.

Adjacent to Charleston Navy Yard, the Park Circle neighborhood was designed in 1912 as the first modern planned community in South Carolina. This 1500-acre development grew with the wartime activity and continues to thrive today.

To support WWI training efforts, Camp Bagley was established and up to 5,000 recruits at a time received basic training. One of the recruits was a young Norman Rockwell, who spent time painting officers’ portraits and drawing cartoons for the Yard’s newsletter.

Instructors Students, MMS Navy Yard Charleston SC June 12, 1919
Instructors Students, MMS Navy Yard Charleston SC June 12, 1919

Desegregation arrives in North Charleston

From the article:

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – Negro pupils will enter two previously all-white schools in suburban Charleston this september.

The transfer of four Negroes, children of military personnel, were announced Wednesday by Supt. Gordon Garrett of Cooper River School District No. 4. They were accepted voluntarily, he said.

Garrett noted the district has a large number of military families “whose children must be educated.” He said school district trustees were concerned with the prospect of school integration, but had been advised by attorneys that “no useful purpose could be served in going to court.”

The four students are Beatrice S. Spencer, daughter of an Air Force master sergeant, who will attend 10th grade at Garrett High, and Janet, Chistopher and Robert Neeley, children of a Navy enlisted man, who will attend Ben Tillman Elementary School.

“These are not simple times and the emotions of many are involved,” Garrett said in a statement, but he declared the welfare of all the children in the county had been kept “uppermost in mind.” With the attendance of the Negroes at the schools, at least three South Carolina school districts will have integrated classes by September.

Charleston city schools accepted 11 Negroes under federal court order last year and the Greenville County school District voluntarily agreed to accept qualified Negroes who file transfer applications.

Redevelopment begins

From 2008-2015 Kulture Klash Arts Festival emerged as a series of events at Navy Yard’s Storehouse 10 with an underground arts party featuring young and exciting talents, breathing a new creative life force into a stagnant art scene.

In 2010, The Noisette company went into foreclosure and Palmetto Railways purchased the remaining property owned by the developer. They left behind a master plan, new affordable housing, and other legacies, but their full dream of a realized community stalled and buildings sat empty.

The City of North Charleston began restoration efforts of several historic buildings at Olmsted Park including The Admiral’s House, Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel, and Gatekeeper’s Inn at Quarters F. The Redevelopment Authority funded a $4.3M renovation to restore these to their former grandeur and are available for tours and private events.

Questions?

info@navyyardchs.com
843.823.6119

Charleston, SC

32°51'54.8"N 79°58'10.6"W

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Along the Cooper River, next to Riverfront Park, a community-forward neighborhood is evolving, history is being preserved and a residential, merchant and office district is taking shape, knitting together and connecting communities in North Charleston, SC.

A history we embrace

View the first video: Dedicated to the Fleet: History of the Charleston Navy Yard

Navy Yard Charleston and Historic Charleston Foundation have formed a partnership to embark on a collection of oral history videos capturing an undocumented picture of the Charleston Navy Base’s story through first-hand accounts. Told through the lens of a “witness to history”, the videos will highlight the significant experiences and impact of the Navy Yard and will be archived at Historic Charleston Foundation.

Learn More

At the turn of the twentieth century, Charleston seized the opportunity to build the greatest naval station in the south...

Photo Credit: North Charleston Land Corporation
Photo Credit: North Charleston Land Corporation

1900's

In 1901, the U.S. Navy purchased a 400-acre site known as Chicora Park along the west bank of the Cooper River, seven miles north of Charleston. Construction began on the first dry dock, five storehouse and administration buildings, streets and rail lines. By WWI, employment peaked at 5,600. From 1901-1996 The Charleston Naval base would provide defense for the United States, employ over 100,000 people, build 256 vessels and pour millions of dollars into the area’s economy.

Learn More

1920's

The livelihood of the shipyard was threatened in 1922 and again after the stock market crash of 1929. Employment dropped below 500 by 1924. Only six boats and tugs were built during 1920 to 1932 and civilian employment reached a low of 479 in 1924.

...And it changed North Charleston forever

Franklin D. Roosevelt Nov 18, 1936. Photo credit Charleston Magazine
Franklin D. Roosevelt Nov 18, 1936. Photo credit Charleston Magazine

1930's

The Charleston Naval Shipyard was designated as a new construction yard in 1933, easing the impact of the Great Depression, creating the need for greater facilities and a larger workforce. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited to check on the pace of modernization.

1941 christening of the USS Hobson
1941 christening of the USS Hobson
Peggy was a trailblazing female welder at the Charleston Naval Shipyard
Peggy was a trailblazing female welder at the Charleston Naval Shipyard
During WWII, Eugenia Powell Deas, made her story as the only African American welder in the Charleston Naval Shipyard.
During WWII, Eugenia Powell Deas, made her story as the only African American welder in the Charleston Naval Shipyard.

1940's

In September of 1941, the USS Hobson was christened at a launching ceremony by Mrs. Richmond P. Hobson as the Bishop Albert S. Thomas and Honorable Joseph W. Powell looked on.

During WWII, Eugenia Powell Deas, made history as the only African American welder in the Charleston Naval Shipyard. Margaret “Peggy” (Merigo) Citarella was the first female welder to receive an official rating from the U.S. Navy.

Read more about Eugenia Powell Deas
Such a large workforce required industrial levels of laundry care
Such a large workforce required industrial levels of laundry care

1950's

The end of WWII brought soldiers home and forced women out of the workforce.

Civilian employment peaked at 9,220 in 1952, making Navy Yard Charleston an economic force in the south east.

Women would later gain protection against discrimination when the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, prohibiting employers from discriminating workers on the basis of sex, race, religion, and national origin.

1960's

In 1964, four African American children of military personnel were accepted into the Ben Tillman School in North Charleston, making it the first all white school in South Carolina to integrate African American students.

Learn More
Navy Hospital in North Charleston
Navy Hospital in North Charleston

1970's

In 1972, the City of North Charleston was officially incorporated and recently celebrated the 50th anniversary in 2022.

The Naval Hospital was constructed in the mid-70’s and stands today as a beacon of Mid-Century Modern/Brutalist Architecture.

This 10 story, 500 bed hospital also hosted a barber shop, theatre, chapel and dental clinic.

Recipient of the 1974 American Institute of Architecture Award.

An overview of damaged homes near Charleston Air Force Base in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo. Photographed by MSGT Patrick Nugent.
An overview of damaged homes near Charleston Air Force Base in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo. Photographed by MSGT Patrick Nugent.
Fallen sign of the Naval Security Group Activity illustrates the force of Hurricane Hugo which passed through the area, October 3, 1989.
Fallen sign of the Naval Security Group Activity illustrates the force of Hurricane Hugo which passed through the area, October 3, 1989.

1980's

Hurricane Hugo was a Category 5 storm that made direct landfall in Charleston, SC on September 22nd, 1989. In the wake of the destruction, 850 U.S. Marines, based out of Charleston Naval Shipyard, helped in the humanitarian efforts.

Throughout the 1980s, the renamed Charleston Naval Base and Charleston Naval Weapons Station were home ports to more submarines, cruisers and destroyers than any other base in the world.

1990's

The closing of Charleston’s Naval Base and Shipyard in 1996 marked the end of an era after nearly a century as South Carolina’s largest civilian employer.

North Charleston continued to grow despite the base closing. 1993 saw the opening of the North Charleston Coliseum where the South Carolina Stingrays hockey team, national musical acts and exciting entertainment experiences are offered to the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, at Navy Yard Charleston, CMMC Industrial Campus started as three entrepreneurs with an idea. More than 24 years later, they have helped over 50 companies succeed and grow.

High Water Music Festival, photo credit: Nathan Zucker
High Water Music Festival, photo credit: Nathan Zucker
Kulture Klash Arts Festival 2008-2015
Kulture Klash Arts Festival 2008-2015
Charleston Wine + Food Festival
Charleston Wine + Food Festival

2000's

The early 2000’s were an era of civic infrastructure and business innovation growth in North Charleston. Urban Electric, a favorite lighting manufacturer for hospitality and high-end residential designers around the world, found a historic red brick warehouse (circa 1906) on the old Naval Yard, renovated and settled into its world headquarters.

Park Circle’s East Montague Historic Business District underwent significant revitalization efforts lead by Mayor Keith Summey.

The Riverfront Park opened to the public in 2005 giving residents river access for the first time in nearly a century. The park features ten acres of walking trails, fishing piers, 800-ft long board walk, rotating sculpture garden and the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial. Countless annual events are hosted here including 4th of July Celebrations, Juneteenth Holiday Events, High Water Music Festival and Charleston Food + Wine Festival.

Learn More
North Charleston “Fifty Fest” Celebration
North Charleston “Fifty Fest” Celebration

2020's

In 2022, The City of North Charleston celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a huge block party full of local music, food, families and business owners.

Also in 2022, local developers of Cigar Factory and GARCo Mill, William Cogswell and Jay Weaver, joined forces with Jamestown to create a partnership at Navy Yard Charleston. They share a vision and common goal to repurpose historic structures and craft a community forward development. This redevelopment will preserve the area’s rich history and unique character with the creation of a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood. Navy Yard Charleston will celebrate, amplify and cultivate new opportunities for the people, businesses, makers, purveyors and innovators of the region.

Make Waves

A community we uplift

Community Outreach

We are committed to uplifting our community

This historic mixed-use redevelopment will celebrate inclusivity and foster collaborative spaces for our community of diverse interests and backgrounds. We will amply voices by increasing the number of minority and women owned businesses. We are focused on uplifting the neighborhood through collaborative partnerships with established non-profits.

  • Jobs

    A neighborhood employment program reserving project-specific positions for local residents will be launched as a part of the redevelopment.

  • Partnerships

    Since inception, Navy Yard Charleston has engaged with and supported several local neighborhood organizations.

    See Our Partnerships

Come Full Circle

Navigating our future

Building momentum, energizing community, embracing the future & honoring the past.

Navy Yard Charleston is reactivating itself as an essential social and economic hub while connecting Downtown Charleston to a growing North Charleston community. We wear our historic patina proudly, crafting new housing from old structures and putting character-rich buildings to new use as maker spaces, restaurants, artisan retail and creative offices.

Navy Yard Charleston, Storehouse Row Courtyard
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