With its cobblestone streets and centuries-old charm, Charleston draws in visitors and new residents alike. Its historic roots run deep, but even longtime locals might not know the full story behind the city’s most iconic landmarks and legends. Whether you’re a history buff or simply Charleston-curious, here are ten little-known facts that help explain why this Southern city stands in a league of its own.
1. A Pirate Playground in the 1700s
During the infamous Golden Age of Piracy (1670–1720), Charleston became a central hotspot for swashbuckling outlaws. None other than Blackbeard himself (Edward Teach) once blockaded Charleston Harbor, capturing ships and passengers until his one request was met: a chest full of medicine.
Charleston also played a part in the story of Anne Bonny, one of history’s most feared female pirates, who grew up nearby and allegedly torched her father’s plantation before fleeing. Stede Bonnet, known as “The Gentleman Pirate,” also joined forces with Blackbeard here. Pirate history may sound thrilling, but many met their fate swinging from the gallows in Charleston for their high-seas crimes.
2. Home of the First Public College in the U.S.
Founded in 1770 and officially chartered in 1785, the College of Charleston holds the title of the first city-supported public college in America. Several of the school’s founders helped shape the nation—literally—as signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Despite damage during the Civil War, the college has endured and remains one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. You might recognize it from movies like The Notebook or Dear John. Today, the college is known for its strong liberal arts program and as a must-stop location for presidential candidates on the campaign trail.
3. Where American Theater Took the Stage
The Dock Street Theatre, opened in 1736, was the first building in America built solely for theatrical performances. Its debut production? The Recruiting Officer, a popular comedy of the time. It also hosted the first opera performed in the U.S., Flora.
Although the original structure likely perished in the Great Fire of 1740, the venue has been lovingly rebuilt. Most recently renovated in 2010, it now hosts over 100 performances each year and continues to be a cultural gem in Charleston’s French Quarter.
4. The Story Behind Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row is one of Charleston’s most photographed spots—13 pastel-painted homes standing proudly along East Bay Street. But those eye-catching colors weren’t always part of the design. After the Civil War, the homes had fallen into disrepair. In the 1930s, Dorothy Porcher Legge painted her house a pale pink, inspiring her neighbors to do the same.
Theories about the purpose of the colors range from helping sailors find their way home to reducing heat absorption in the summertime. Whatever the reason, it’s now one of Charleston’s most beloved and Instagram-worthy sights.
5. Why You See Pineapples Everywhere
Back in the day, pineapples were rare and expensive—symbols of wealth and exotic trade. Eventually, they became associated with hospitality, especially in coastal communities like Charleston, where sailors returning home would place a pineapple at their doorstep as a signal of safe return.
Today, you’ll spot pineapple motifs all over the city, most famously in the iconic Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park. It’s Charleston’s unofficial welcome sign and a nod to the warmth the city extends to its guests.
6. Bill Murray’s Local Baseball Connection
Yep, that Bill Murray. The comedy legend and Hollywood icon is part-owner of the Charleston RiverDogs, the city’s beloved minor league baseball team. Known as the team’s “Director of Fun,” Murray is more than just a figurehead—he shows up, cracks jokes, and truly supports the players.
The team, founded in 1980 and formerly called the Charleston Royals, has gone through several name changes but remains an essential part of the city’s community spirit.
7. Why It’s Called “The Holy City”
A skyline sprinkled with church steeples has earned Charleston the nickname The Holy City. From the earliest days of settlement, the city welcomed a variety of religious groups, including Protestants, Catholics, and Jews.
One of the oldest congregations still active today is the Circular Congregational Church, a spiritual anchor in the heart of the city. Charleston’s legacy of religious tolerance is one of the cornerstones of its historic and cultural identity.
8. What Is “Charleston Green”?
Many of Charleston’s historic homes are painted a deep, nearly-black shade of green—aptly named Charleston Green. Legend has it that after the Civil War, the federal government sent buckets of plain black paint to help repair war-torn homes. Locals, ever creative, added blue and yellow pigments to make the shade more appealing.
Today, Charleston Green is more than a color—it’s a symbol of resilience and Southern style.
9. The Civil War Began Right Here
It was at Fort Sumter, located at the entrance of Charleston Harbor, that the first shots of the Civil War were fired. In January 1861, Citadel cadets fired upon a Union supply ship attempting to reach the fort. The city would go on to be a key Confederate stronghold for most of the war.
Fort Sumter is now a National Monument and a top attraction for visitors looking to explore the roots of one of America’s most defining conflicts.
10. America’s First Museum Lives Here
The Charleston Museum, founded in 1773 and opened to the public in 1824, is the oldest museum in the United States. Inspired by the British Museum, it features everything from ancient Egyptian relics to rare natural history specimens and historic Southern furniture.
Renowned scientist Louis Agassiz once called its collection among the best in the nation. It remains a must-visit for first-timers and lifelong Charlestonians alike.
