Post by charlestonlawyer on Apr 21, 2022 8:16:36 GMT -5
In full disclosure, I have been a "lurker" for about a year, reading this forum and others about this treasure hunt. Like many of you, it appears that the Battery (White Point Gardens to non-locals) is a fairly strong "fit" for the clues. However, I have been engaging in a though exercise. Let's assume the treasure is not buried at the Battery, then where could it be? I grew up in Charleston, am the son of a history professor, and spent my summers studying the history of Charleston. Therefore, I wanted to engage in this thought exercise:
(1) The book was released by Bantam circa 1982.
(2) Therefore, the treasures were presumed to be hidden during the period of the late 1970s to sometime in 1980 or 1981 (would assume earlier given the size of Bantam as a publishing house).
(3) Most folks have spent time looking at the obvious locations in the image--i.e., Ft. Moultrie, Ft. Sumter, etc.
(4) Assuming that the images and references are not "direct" references, are there locations that would have mirrored or duplicated these key images or references in the poem?
(5) Significantly, two events occurred shortly after Preiss had released the book that may have material impact on the locations:
(a) Hurricane Hugo devastated the lowcountry of South Carolina in 1989.
(b) The Charleston Museum fire destroyed the ornate original home of the Charleston Museum, though many of the collections had been transferred to the new location by this date in 1980.
Therefore, there may be other locations of note worth contemplating. Here are my two that I am currently investigating:
(1) Charles Towne Landing
(2) The Charleston Museum
(3) Fort Moultrie (Pre-Hugo)
In each of these circumstances, Preiss could have visited significant tourist locations that would appears to be "permanent." However, within a few years, all were destroyed and significantly changed.
Forgive the musing, but will also post a series of pictures on each of these.
(1) The book was released by Bantam circa 1982.
(2) Therefore, the treasures were presumed to be hidden during the period of the late 1970s to sometime in 1980 or 1981 (would assume earlier given the size of Bantam as a publishing house).
(3) Most folks have spent time looking at the obvious locations in the image--i.e., Ft. Moultrie, Ft. Sumter, etc.
(4) Assuming that the images and references are not "direct" references, are there locations that would have mirrored or duplicated these key images or references in the poem?
(5) Significantly, two events occurred shortly after Preiss had released the book that may have material impact on the locations:
(a) Hurricane Hugo devastated the lowcountry of South Carolina in 1989.
(b) The Charleston Museum fire destroyed the ornate original home of the Charleston Museum, though many of the collections had been transferred to the new location by this date in 1980.
Therefore, there may be other locations of note worth contemplating. Here are my two that I am currently investigating:
(1) Charles Towne Landing
- Charles Towne Landing ("CTL") was created in 1976 as part of the South Carolina Tricentennial Exposition. Its focus is the first 100 years of the Carolina colony--from 1670 to 1770. CTL was devastated by Hurricane Hugo and remained closed for years. Prior to its closure, it had a significant, underground pavilion reflecting the early history of South Carolina. This pavilion had a large, neo-contemporary geodesic shell that housed key "images" of Charleston. The pavilion was surrounded by a manmade "moat" that had two walkways to access it. The moat had a series of spray fountains around the facility. The Charleston images included: (i) replicas of the sword gates; (ii) a replica of a Charleston doorway; (iii) a replica of the speakers pulpit from St. Phillips; (iv) a replica of the church spire from St. Michaels; (v) wire-frame images of a European settler, a Native American, and an Enslaved Person; and (vi) various flags and banners from the history of South Carolina. The pavilion then extended two levels below ground. Below ground level were exhibits on the founding of South Carolina, including line drawings of Native Kiowah tribe members and Enslaved persons. This location has provoked some interest given the references to "Birth of a Century."
(2) The Charleston Museum
- This one is more of a reach, but I thought it worth examining. in 1899 (as indicated in large numbers on one end of the building), the Thomson Auditorium was constructed originally as a 7,000 person convention hall for a Confederate Veteran's Reunion. Following this use in 1907, it was purchased by the City of Charleston to house the Charleston Museum (one of the oldest museums in North America). The museum remained there in this neo-classical building until the collections began movement to a new (current) location on Meeting Street. In October, 1981, the museum was struck by fire, destroying all but the front columns, which remain standing in Cannon Park, near Colonial Lake.
(3) Fort Moultrie (Pre-Hugo)
- Prior to Hurricane Hugo, Fort Moultrie included a full-scale replica of the original log fort used in the American Revolutionary War. This was subsequently destroyed and removed, leaving only the current fort facilities. This wooden log fort was mounted with Cannon and had reenactors telling the history of South Carolina. This was established as part of the Bicentennial of the fort--1976. This would tie into "freedom at the birth of a century." In addition, though obscure, there was a significant explosion in May 1913 at the Fort that killed 3 soldiers and injured 9 others.
In each of these circumstances, Preiss could have visited significant tourist locations that would appears to be "permanent." However, within a few years, all were destroyed and significantly changed.
Forgive the musing, but will also post a series of pictures on each of these.
