This celebration of a city with a rich and turbulent history pairs vintage images from its rich past with photos taken today Founded in 1670, Charleston has endured a succession of fires, hurricanes, and earthquakes and played a key role in the American Revolution and the Civil War, and Charlestonians have prevailed through it all. This collection of photographs shows how much of this deeply fascinating city has survived, and celebrates a few architectural gems that have been lost to natural disasters and the wrecking ball. Sites include Cooper River Bridges, Fireproof Building, Washington Square, East Battery, Coates Row, The Old Exchange, Vendue Range, Custom House, Meeting Street, Old Slave Mart, Dock Street Theatre, French Huguenot Church, The Old Powder Magazine, Charleston Hotel, Market Hall, Gibbes Museum of Art, King Street, Osceola's Grave, Middleton Place, and Drayton Hall.

W. Chris Phelps hails from Richmond, Virginia and was educated in Charleston. He is the author of The Bombardment of Charleston 1863-1865 and Charlestonians in War. Drawing on his background as a historian, Phelps cofounded America by Foot, one of the largest walking tour companies in the country, which specializes in tours of Charleston and other parts of South Carolina. He lives in Johns Island, South Carolina.