More than just a pretty park, this popular green space between Meeting and King streets tells the tale of Charleston’s colonial-era history.
Visit Charleston’s seasonal farmers market or enjoy a picnic on the lawn of Marion Square, a picturesque spot for Charleston locals and visitors to this historic city. Surrounded by prestigious buildings, the park holds centuries of interesting history.
Delve into the park’s past. This city block was granted to the colony of South Carolina in 1758 and acted as a defensive wall against local Native Americans. In the late 1700s, the 10-acre (4-hectare) plot of land was given to the city of Charleston. Over decades, it served as a complex for tobacco inspection, a parade and muster ground for the state arsenal and the green of Citadel College. Named for Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion, the park ultimately came under the authority of the Washington Light Infantry and the Sumter Guards, which prevented it from being turned into a parking lot or shopping center in the 20th century.
Today, join students from the College of Charleston studying and sunbathing on the expansive lawn, shop the farmers market from April through November, attend June’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival of arts and music, or savor delicacies during the annual wine and food celebration. Since the early 1900s, the city’s Christmas tree has been placed here stop to see it during the holiday season.
Admire the park’s various monuments, including the Holocaust memorial. A very tall statue of John C. Calhoun stood in the park until its removal in 2020. Calhoun was a vice president of the United States, but his staunch advocacy for slavery contributed to the South’s secession and the Civil War.
Stretching along the northern side of Marion Square, the Old Citadel was built in 1829 and was guarded by federal troops from Fort Moultrie. Today the citadel operates as an upscale hotel.
Marion Square is one of 1,400 historically significant sites within the Old and Historic Charleston District. Find this very pleasant green space between Meeting and King streets. Metered parking is available nearby or use a parking garage across Calhoun Street next to the hotel.
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