A Gothic Revival medical building on Franklin Street, designed by Robert Mills as a refuge for sick sailors.
At a glance
The Old Marine Hospital stands at 20 Franklin Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Built between 1831 and 1833, it served as a public facility for the treatment of sick sailors and other transient persons. Its designer was Robert Mills, an architect whose name is attached to some of the most significant public buildings of the early United States.
History
The hospital was constructed as a civic answer to a pressing problem: sailors arriving in Charleston with nowhere to recover from illness. The city needed a dedicated space, and the federal government supported the project. Robert Mills produced the design. He had designed the Washington Monument and would later work on the Treasury Building, and the Marine Hospital shows his hand in its careful proportions and functional plan.
What you see
The building is a high-quality example of Gothic Revival architecture. Its pointed windows and detailing mark a departure from the classical vocabulary that dominated American public architecture at the time. The design is disciplined and symmetrical, with the Gothic elements used for surface effect rather than structural drama.
Cultural significance
In 1973 the Old Marine Hospital was designated a National Historic Landmark. The honor rests on two grounds: the building’s association with Robert Mills, and its quality as a Gothic Revival structure. It is one of the few surviving marine hospitals from the early nineteenth century.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Charleston, South Carolina
- Coordinates: 32.7778, -79.9371
Practical information & getting there
The building is located at 20 Franklin Street in Charleston, South Carolina.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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