Wraggborough: The Garden District

Wraggborough

Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, SC – is a thriving neighborhood with beautiful, tree-lined streets and historic, thoughtfully-renovated homes. Wraggborough is unique because it boasts more green space than any other neighborhood in downtown Charleston, yet it is still just a 1-5 minute walk to all the restaurants, shops and nightlife that famous King Street has to offer.

History

Today’s Wraggborough in downtown Charleston, SC was once part of the extensive, peninsula land ownership of Joseph Wragg. When he divided his property among his heirs in 1758, it was his eldest son – John Wragg – who received the 79 acres that would eventually become Wraggborough. He died in 1796 without having children so in 1801, his siblings hired surveyor Joseph Purcell to lay streets on his portion of the land. These streets were named after each sibling: John, Judith, Mary, Ann, Charlotte, Elizabeth and Henrietta. One street remained and the Wragg family named it Chapel Street with the intention of building a chapel on the small square that sits at the intersection of Elizabeth, Chapel and John Streets. In 1801 – the same year the streets were laid – the Wragg family dedicated Wragg Mall and Wragg Square to the public and these remain today as open greens.

Nestled in a prime location of peninsular Charleston, SC, Wraggborough is bound by Mary Street, King Street, Calhoun Street and the Cooper River, and includes:

· John Street

· Judith Street

· Mary Street

· Ann Street

· Charlotte Street

· Elizabeth Street

· Henrietta Street

· Chapel Street

While Wraggborough boasts its own charming green spaces – Wragg Mall and Wragg Square – it is within a 1-5 minute walk to the expansive and energetic Marion Square and all that upper King Street has to offer. Walk to neighborhood hot spots including Hall’s Chophouse, The Grocery, Cocktail Club and The Macintosh. Listen to live music while relaxing at local coffee shops, and shop at one of the many clothing or furniture boutiques that lines King Street.

Amenities

· Restaurants – Basil, Fish, Halls Chop House, The Macintosh, Monza Pizza, O-Ku, The Ordinary, Starz, Virginia’s on King

· Green Spaces – Marion Square, Wragg Mall, Wragg Square

Places to See

The Charleston Museum – Located between Wragg Mall and Wragg Square (360 Meeting Street), this is America’s first museum! Founded in 1773 by the Charleston Library Society and opened to the public in 1824, The Charleston Museum is regarded as one of the finest museums in America. Its focus now is to document the natural and cultural history of Charleston and the Lowcountry coastal region.

Aiken-Rhett House Museum – Located on 48 Elizabeth Street, this historic home was built in 1820 and was opened as a museum in 1975. For 142 years, this classic Charleston double remained in the hands of family descendants until being sold to The Charleston Museum.  Now under the care of the Historic Charleston Foundation, the property is open to the public and offers guided, audio tours of the home and grounds.

Education

Wraggborough homes are zoned for Memminger Elementary School (K-6) and Burke High School (7-12). Within just a few miles of Wraggborough are a number of independent and parochial schools. Porter Gaud (co-education) and Ashley Hall (all girls) are two college-preparatory, independent schools for grades K-12, while Charleston Day School and Mason Preparatory School are co-educational, independent schools for grades K-8. All are located just minutes from this thriving neighborhood.

Fun Fact

Some Charlestonians also refer to Wraggborough as Mazyck-Wraggborough. Some even separate the neighborhoods completely into Mazyckborough and Wraggborough. In 1786, the same surveyor who would lay the streets for the Wragg family 10 years later, laid out a small portion of the neighborhood for Alexander Mazyck. This area is bounded by Chapel Street, Elizabeth Street and Calhoun Street.