U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Charleston Service Port — Local services in Charleston

Constructed 1849-79; restored 1968 Ammi B. Young, architect; Edward Brickell White, supervising architect

U.S. Custom House was built on the site of Craven's Bastion, remains of which were found in excavating the basement. Congress appropriated funds for the building in 1848 and bought the site, know as Fitzsimons' Wharf, in 1849.

The commissioner awarded the contract for its design in 1850 to Charleston architect Edward C. Jones, but the choice was overruled by Washington authorities, who chose Ammi Burnham Young, the designer of a similar Custom House in Boston.

The original design called for pedimented porticos on all four sides, and a tall dome, 160 feet from grade to top.

Construction was interrupted by the Civil War and the building was completed in the present form in 1879.

The rusticated basement of the building is granite, the upper two floors are of marble.

The porticos are Roman Corinthian, and engaged columns and entablature of the same order continue around the cruciform structure. Emile T. Viett came to Charleston from Europe to carve the capitals and other decorative marble work.

(Severens, Southern Architecture , p.144-146 ; Thomas, DYKYC, Dec. 8,1968; Ravenel, Architects, p.198,237-239 ; Smith & Smith, Dwelling Houses , p.268 ; Rhett & Steel, p.56-57 ; Whitelaw & Levkoff, p.44 ; Mazyck & Waddell, illus. p.13 ; Stoney, This is...

A great Historical landmark known to have protected our sovereignty on the border since before we were free. It's worth the effort to get a feel of this American port City that kept the British at Bay, before...

Had a very helpful CBP officer visit us in the marina to help clear us and our boat into the USA. We are non US citizens with the required visas. The process was efficient...