Charleston County Courthouse, Charleston

This Neoclassical standout in Charleston has a bit of architectural déjà vu going on. Its design takes cues from Leinster House—home to the Irish Parliament in Dublin—and both were shaped by the same man, James Hoban. If that name rings a bell, it certainly should. Hoban went on to design a modest little residence in Washington, D.C. that many have heard of: the White House. Yes, this Charleston courthouse is basically part of the White House’s extended family tree.

Now, here’s where the story gets a bit cinematic. George Washington himself was so impressed with Hoban’s earlier work that he summoned him to Philadelphia in June 1792. One month later, Hoban wins the competition to design the presidential mansion. Not bad for a summer gig...

Today, the Charleston County Courthouse pulls double duty: part working courthouse, part low-key museum. It’s not a long visit, but it’s a rewarding one. The self-guided tour is free, and the security guards double as unofficial storytellers, dropping bite-sized facts as you wander through.

Inside, the building dives fully into its past. Walls are lined with full-scale portraits of figures like George Washington and Andrew Jackson, keeping a quiet watch over the halls. The original second-floor porch—once used to read the Declaration of Independence aloud to Charleston’s residents—hasn’t survived, but the law library certainly has. There, polished wood panels, gleaming brass railings, and rows of leather-bound volumes are sitting neatly behind glass, as if waiting for someone important to return.

And then, just when you think you’ve seen it all, here’s a tip: don’t rush out too quickly. The retro bathroom on site is surprisingly well preserved—an unexpected little time capsule that somehow fits right in with everything else...