Map Illustrating Boroughs of Charleston, SC
This map demonstrates the recognized boroughs of
Charleston, South Carolina compiled and drawn from
the Colton map of 1855 and the Halsey map of 1949.
2015, 20” wide by 23” tall, watercolor on cotton rag paper
The peninsula of Charleston is a storied place that reflects its establishment
in 1680 and growth over the next four centuries. A driver of this growth
was the establishment of different boroughs throughout the peninsula.
Many of these are names well known to Charlestonians and visitors such as
Ansonborough and Wraggborough. Some were developed by individuals
(Mazyckborough) and others are remnants of small villages (Islington)
on the peninsula when Charles Towne was limited to the edge of the
Cooper River.
While this is a charming part of downtown Charleston history, few maps
express this part of the peninsula’s past. This was our first originally
designed map and we used a variety of documentary sources to define
the borough boundaries.