Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object Type |
Property File |
Title |
115 Meeting Street (Mills House Hotel) |
Scope & Content |
Constructed 1853; reconstructed 1968. John E. Earle, architect. Reconstructed on the site of the original Mills House, this reproduction was completed in 1968. Otis Mills, a grain merchant and real estate developer, constructed the original in 1853. Mills, a native of Massachusetts, commissioned the architect John E. Earle, also an expatriate New Englander, to design the building, which contained the first large scale running water and steam heat systems in the city. The five story, 125-room hotel cost $200,000 to build and incorporated Philadelphia cast-iron balconies and New England terra cotta window cornices. The Mills House Hotel barely escaped the fire of 1861 and stood in its original configuration for over a century after the disaster. Remaining a splendid hostelry for most of the early 20th century, it was known as the St. John Hotel. By 1968 the original building was in a severe state of disrepair, and its new owners reluctantly demolished it. Although two stories were added in the reconstruction, architects carefully employed the original exterior design and used the 19th century ironwork and some details from the first structure. Fiberglass copies replaced the original terra cotta window surrounds. The hotel opened for South Carolina's tricentennial in 1970. (Poston, Buildings of Charleston.) Files contain narrative histories from publications; newspaper articles (including DYKYC 1969); building from Information for Guides of Historic Charleston; hotel brochure (date not indicated); illustrations of the building (hotel envelope and Library of Congress photos); graduate student report (Kim C. Norton, 2006) on the history of the building/property, including historical/chain-of-title research, maps, photos, deeds, and other supporting documentation; correspondence and other documentation related to the purchase of the property by Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (investment group called Charleston Associates), including proposed restoration and projections report and "The Charleston Hotel Project" report (mostly 1966-1968). |
Subjects |
Historic buildings--South Carolina--Charleston Hotels--South Carolina--Charleston |
Search Terms |
Meeting Street Loutrel Briggs garden |
Physical Description |
2 File Folders |
Related Records |
Show Related Records... |
Object ID # |
MEETING.115.1 |