Hampton Park Bandstand - Charleston, SC
N 32° 48.033 W 079° 57.281
17S E 597870 N 3629659
This beautiful bandstand from the 1901-1902 South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition held in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, is located in Hampton Park.
Waymark Code: WM4Y0P
Location: South Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 10/12/2008
Views: 14
The following information about the Expo is from the
Charleston Exposition, South Carolina (Images of America Series) by Anthony Chibbaro:
From December 1901 to May 1902, the City of Charleston, South Carolina, hosted the only world's fair ever held on Palmetto State soil. Officially known as the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition, or more commonly as the Charleston Exposition, the event was eagerly anticipated by Charlestonians in hopes that it would boost business ad industry. Even an unusually cold winter could not deter the 675,000 people who visited this landmark celebration in South Carolina history. With the arrival of the Exposition's 100th anniversary, a renewed interest has been sparked in the story that surrounds it. People from all over the country flocked to the Charleston Exposition to tour the detailed building erected in what is now known as Hampton Park. Appearances from President Theodore Roosevelt and author Samuel Clemens; shows with Jim Key, the famous intelligent horse; and the display of the Liberty Bell, on loan from Philadelphia, were just a few of the highlights that enticed visitors to come to South Carolina's Lowcountry.
According to A Short History of Charleston by Robert N. Rosen:
After the exposition, more people began to move to the area south of the grounds (south of present-day Hampton Park). Legend has it that the wood and other materials from the exposition went into the building of houses in the neighborhood. The old bandstand, once located at the center of the exposition, was moved and still stands in Hampton Park today.
A 1910 photo of the bandstand is available on the internet (visit link).