Houses on the Move

Original location of 82 Anson Street at the end of George Street.

In 1964, the city of Charleston voted to build a new municipal auditorium on Calhoun Street now called the Gaillard Center. The site chosen was bordered by Calhoun, Anson, Alexander, and George streets. The problem was that 86 Anson Street literally stood in the way of plans for a George Street extension to Meeting Street. Despite this roadblock (pun intended), the city voted in favor of the new auditorium and construction began with demolition of a three-block area of housing that was most badly dilapidated. Three houses in the area were deemed historically significant and had enough structural integrity to warrant rescue. These houses were uprooted and moved to new locations:

• 86 Anson Street moved down the street to become 82 Anson Street in order to clear the way for the George Street extension.
• 74 Anson Street was originally 15 Wall Street and was moved to its current location by tractor and utility wires were cut down in order for the two-story house to be moved.
• 39 Laurens Street was actually moved twice. It was first moved from its original location at 116 Anson Street to 42 Laurens Street where it was stored on blocks for years prior to its final location at 39 Laurens Street.

74 Anson Street being moved by tractor.

39 Laurens Street being moved from Anson Street.

Pictured at the top: 1888 Sanborn map depicting where George Street ended at 86 Anson Street.