The spirits in The Battery Carriage House Inn are just as active as the living. Known as the state’s most haunted inn, several guests and staff have reported experiencing paranormal activities. The first reports of ghostly activity in the inn started in 1992. Two of the most famous ghosts are that of the headless torso and the “gentleman ghost”. It is said that the gentleman was once a member of one of the families who used to own the house. He was a college student who killed himself by jumping off the roof.
The headless torso is very much likely a man who came from the Civil War era. During the Civil War, the Battery was an artillery installation in Charleston, South Carolina. During the four-year bombardment, houses in the area were severely damaged, and people would have died of injuries such as dismemberment. Guests reported that they felt that the headless torso did not mean them harm.
One strange occurrence was experienced by a couple who were staying in Room 3. They awoke early in the morning to the noise and blinking of the man’s cell phone, even though the phone had been turned off and there was no phone signal in the room. They described seeing a “giant firefly glow”, first on the bathroom door and then in the sitting area in the room.
History
The property where the bed and breakfast now stands was purchased by Samuel N. Stevens for a little over $4,000 in 1843. Stevens was a rich factor who was also an agent for plantation owners. The house which stood in the property in 1843 was different from the current inn standing there. In 1859, Stevens sold the house to John F. Blacklock.
When the Civil War began, the house was abandoned and was then sold to Col. Lathers. During the Siege of Charleston, the house was badly damaged. Col. Lathers bought the property and hired a well-known architect, John Henry Devereaux, to renovate the house in the New York style of the time. He added a library and a ballroom which was designed for conferences. After renovating the house, Col. Lathers found a buyer for the house. Andrew Simons bought the house and he also founded the First National Bank of South Carolina.
In the 1960s, the hotel was turned into small apartments rented by college students. However, in the 1980s, it became a hotel again. The current owner of the inn is Drayton Hastie.
About
The Battery Carriage House Inn has 10 rooms and a single suite which is a comfortable retreat from the busy world. Each of the rooms of the European-style inn is decorated differently from one another. There are 3 king rooms which are the largest in the inn. The king rooms are located on the ground floor and they face the charming garden. The 4 lower carriage rooms are also located on the ground floor and they have a décor which is reminiscent of the French countryside inn. All of these rooms have a four-poster queen bed and a view of the side garden. There are 4 Upper Carriage house Rooms which are larger than those located on the ground floor which has romantic canopy queen beds.
Guests can start their day with their continental breakfast served just under the Lady Bank rose arbor in the hotel’s lovely garden. After a day of shopping or enjoying Charleston’s attractions, guests can enjoy a glass of wine with their sumptuous dinner.
Features
- Evening turndown service
- Plush robes
- Wireless internet access
- Complimentary morning paper
Things to Do
Charleston is a city of many delights and guests will discover that there are lots of things to see and do. The Magnolia Plantation is also owned by Drayton Hastie and it is a very popular garden which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Three years ago, the garden became the residence of the American branch of the Drayton family. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the garden the Audubon swamp garden and the petting zoo.
Visitors looking for entertainment can go to The Cellar, The Have Nots and the North Charleston Coliseum. The Cellar features specialty martinis, wines and entertainment from national jazz and regional bands. The Have Nots is a non-smoking venue with a bar that offers high-energy comedy with an audience suggestion. The North Charleston Coliseum is located near The Battery Carriage House Inn which has 14,000 seats and is the home of the Stingrays ECHL hockey team.
Room Tariffs
- King ground level rooms start at $309
- Lower carriage house queen rooms start at $279
- Upper carriage house queen rooms start at $299