At 27 King St., the Miles Brewton house was once considered the finest home in the city, and it remains in the upper echelon if for no other reason than it's remarkable history.
Predating the American Revolution, it has been the headquarters for the generals of two occupying armies: the British during the Revolution, and the Union at the close of the Civil War.
Its streetfront carriage house and imposing facade are offset by a long stretch of menacing ironwork called cheveux de frise (roughly translated from the French as "frozen hair), placed in front of the house in 1822 after a failed slave uprising often referred to as the Denmark Vessey "incident".
It is a National Historic Landmark that well deserves the distinction. The house is privately owned; please do not trespass.
While in the neighborhood, see the nearby "O'Donnell's Folly", a house of equal interest for very different reasons.
If you enjoyed this neighborhood, you may also want to visit lower Legare, a short distance away.
Charleston maps are available from the Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St.
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