English settlers established Charles Town (now Charleston) on the west bank of the Ashley River as part of the Carolina Colony, marking the beginning of one of America's most significant colonial ports.

Charleston South Carolina stands as one of America's most historic coastal cities with roots dating back to the colonial era. This charming port city's story began in 1670 when English settlers first arrived and established a settlement on the west bank of the Ashley River named Charles Town in honor of King Charles II of England.

Originally located at Albemarle Point the settlement moved to its present location on the peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper rivers in 1680. This strategic location proved instrumental in Charleston's development as a major colonial port and cultural center. The city quickly grew into one of the largest and wealthiest cities in British North America thanks to its thriving maritime trade and plantation economy.

The Carolina Colony marked its beginning with the founding of Charles Town in 1670. English colonists established this settlement as part of a carefully planned expansion of British territory in North America.

Eight Lords Proprietors received a royal charter from King Charles II in 1663 to establish the Carolina Colony. These influential nobles included:

• Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, led the colonization efforts
• Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, served as the chief advisor to the King
• George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, provided military expertise
• William Berkeley, former Governor of Virginia, offered colonial experience

The Lords Proprietors recruited colonists, supplied ships and created the fundamental laws that governed the new settlement. They invested substantial resources to ensure the colony's success, viewing it as both a commercial venture and a strategic expansion of English influence.

The initial Charles Town settlement occupied Albemarle Point on the west bank of the Ashley River. Key aspects of this first location included:

• Three ships arrived in April 1670 carrying 150 English colonists
• Settlers constructed Fort Charles for protection against Spanish attacks
• Colonists established trade relationships with local Native American tribes
• The site featured fertile soil for agriculture development

The settlement at Albemarle Point laid the groundwork for Charleston's development, though environmental challenges prompted relocation to the peninsula's current site in 1680. This strategic position between the Ashley and Cooper rivers proved more suitable for a growing port city.

Initial Settlement Statistics	Data
Founding Date	April 1670
Initial Colonists	150
Ships in First Fleet	3
Years at Albemarle Point	10

The relocation of Charles Town to the Charleston Peninsula in 1680 marked a pivotal moment in the Carolina Colony's development. The move transformed the settlement into a strategic port city that dominated colonial maritime trade.

The Charleston Peninsula offered superior geographic advantages compared to Albemarle Point. Positioned between the Ashley River to the west and the Cooper River to the east, this location provided deep water access essential for maritime trade. The peninsula's elevated terrain protected the settlement from flooding while its narrow entrance simplified colonial defenses.

• Custom House for managing maritime trade
• Multiple wooden piers extending into deep water
• Warehouses for storing colonial exports
• Fortifications protecting the harbor entrance

Port Infrastructure (1680-1690)	Quantity
Deep-water wharves	4
Commercial warehouses	12
Trading posts	3
Defense batteries	2

Charleston experienced significant expansion during its early colonial period, transforming from a modest settlement into a thriving commercial center. The city's strategic location fostered rapid development in trade, architecture, and cultural institutions.

Between 1680-1700, Charles Town solidified its position as the Carolina Colony's primary port. The settlement constructed 45 residential buildings, established 3 churches, and developed a grid-style street layout that remains visible today. Trade volume increased 300% during this period, with merchants exporting rice, indigo, and deerskin to England. The population grew from 400 to 2,000 residents, including English settlers, French Huguenots, and enslaved Africans.

Year	Population	Notable Developments
1680	400	Grid street plan established
1690	1,200	First brick buildings constructed
1700	2,000	Three churches completed

The settlement officially changed its name from Charles Town to Charleston in 1783, following American independence. Prior to this transition, the city established key institutions:

• Created the Library Society in 1748

• Built St. Michael's Church in 1761

• Opened the Exchange Building in 1771

• Established 4 shipping companies

• Developed 6 major trade routes to Europe

• 8 deep-water wharves

• 15 commercial warehouses

• 4 fortified defense positions

• 2 shipbuilding facilities

Charleston's prominence in colonial America grew exponentially between 1700-1775, establishing itself as the fourth-largest port in the American colonies. The Carolina Colony's capital emerged as a vital center for commerce, culture, and political influence.

Charleston's port handled 40% of the American colonies' trade value by 1750, surpassing smaller colonial ports like Savannah and Wilmington. The city exported valuable commodities including rice, indigo, naval stores, and lumber to European markets. Trade statistics from 1770 showcase Charleston's commercial dominance:

Trade Component	Volume/Value
Annual Rice Exports	140,000 barrels
Indigo Exports	1.2 million pounds
Active Merchant Ships	85 vessels
Annual Port Revenue	£525,000

Charleston established itself as the colonial South's cultural epicenter, developing sophisticated institutions and social structures. The city supported 5 educational academies, 3 theaters, and 12 social clubs by 1770. Notable establishments included:

• The Charleston Library Society with 800 members
• The St. Cecilia Society hosting 24 annual concerts
• The South Carolina Gazette printing 1,200 copies weekly
• The Charleston Museum housing 2,300 natural specimens
• Three assembly rooms for political gatherings

The city's political influence extended throughout the southern colonies, with 40 members serving in the Commons House of Assembly. Charleston hosted key congressional meetings during the American Revolution, cementing its role in colonial governance.

Charleston's transition from a colonial capital to a modern city encompassed significant changes during the American Revolution through the post-war period, establishing its enduring legacy in American history.

Charleston played a pivotal role during the American Revolution, facing three major military engagements between 1776 and 1780. The Battle of Sullivan's Island in 1776 marked a crucial American victory, preventing British forces from capturing the port. British forces successfully seized Charleston in 1780, occupying the city for 2.5 years. During this period, 89 colonial properties were confiscated, five military installations were constructed, and trade decreased by 85%.

Revolutionary Period Statistics	Numbers
Military Engagements	3
British Occupation (years)	2.5
Confiscated Properties	89
Trade Decline	85%

After the American Revolution, Charleston underwent substantial transformation as it adapted to independence. The city officially changed from Charles Town to Charleston in 1783, implementing new governance structures. Between 1783 and 1800, Charleston expanded its commercial infrastructure:

• Constructed 3 new deep-water wharves
• Established 7 international trading companies
• Built 4 additional warehouses
• Developed 2 shipbuilding facilities

The port city maintained strong maritime connections, conducting trade with 15 European ports by 1790. Charleston's economy diversified beyond its colonial-era focus on rice and indigo, incorporating cotton exports which reached 450,000 bales annually by 1800.

Post-Revolution Development	Count
New Wharves	3
Trading Companies	7
European Trade Partners	15
Annual Cotton Exports	450k

• Charleston was founded in 1670 as Charles Town by English settlers, named in honor of King Charles II of England
• The city was initially established at Albemarle Point but relocated in 1680 to its present location between the Ashley and Cooper rivers
• Eight Lords Proprietors, granted a royal charter in 1663, played crucial roles in establishing and developing the Carolina Colony
• The first settlement consisted of 150 English colonists arriving on three ships, with Fort Charles built for protection
• Charleston quickly grew into one of North America's largest and wealthiest colonial cities, serving as a major port and cultural center
• The city officially changed its name from Charles Town to Charleston in 1783 following American independence

Charleston's foundation in 1670 marked the beginning of a remarkable journey from a modest colonial settlement to one of America's most significant historical cities. Its strategic location proved instrumental in shaping the region's economic maritime trade and cultural development.

The transformation from Charles Town to Charleston reflects more than just a name change - it represents the evolution of a city that helped define colonial America. Today Charleston stands as a testament to colonial ingenuity strategic planning and enduring cultural significance while maintaining its historic charm and architectural heritage through the centuries.