A Brief History of the Sword Gate

A forge. Sparks and flame shooting forth from the impact of a heavy sledgehammer. This evokes a sense of strength of purpose. The same as that of our image of the country which we call home.

As early as the founding of this country, many have come with the desire to fulfill their dreams for health, wealth, and happiness. Christopher Werner, immigrated from Prussia—now the North Rhine—Westphalia region of Germany.

Werner was born into the family of prominent carriage builder/blacksmith, Burnhard Werner. Faced with the compulsory duty to serve in the Prussian military, Werner decided to immigrate to the United States. He set up his business in Charleston in the early 1830s and was naturalized in 1839. He quickly became known for his skills in metalwork and business. He was particularly well trained in the processes of manufacturing wrought iron and had early demonstrated his artistic and metalworking talents with the creation of many detailed pieces.

Werner, along with two other German immigrants, was determined to, ¨show what could be accomplished in Charleston in the adornment of edifices to make it worthy of the name of ´Queen city of the South.´¨ He involved himself in the remodeling of older buildings and the construction of new ones which exhibited his artwork. While moving from one address to another for these purposes, Werner maintained his foundry near State and Cumberland Streets in Charleston. Because of the quality and beauty of his work, he soon expanded his business, reaching throughout the state of South Carolina.

Due to miscommunication between the city of Charleston and Werner, two sets of gate panels were constructed. One set of the sword gates was subsequently sold to the British consul, Geroge Hopley. Mr. Hopley had bought and restored the home at the corners of Legare & Tradd Streets (32 Legare & 109 Tradd respectively). Today, this home referred to as the Sword Gate House because of these gates.

The matching pair of gates is now prominently displayed and open to the main entrance of the Citadel campus at the foot of Huger Street.

Werner´s attention to detail and his artistic flourish made his products easily recognized for their beauty and style. He used a wrought iron snake to hang signs from the walls of his clients’ businesses. His works include the spiral and finial of Saint Matthew’s Church, numerous decorative fences and other items throughout Charleston and various locations around South Carolina. He was an entrepreneur who would invest in projects such as the Palmetto Regiment Monument (1853) on the grounds of the SC state capital. It is a palmetto tree, notable for its size and detail, leaving many to remark about its realistic appearance. Made without commission, Werner speculated that its significance would elicit payment from the state to compensate him for the project. He only realized $5,000 from the state for his $11,000 investment.

Werner's productivity and popularity are evidenced by the number of his works seen throughout the city. It is quite fitting that Werner's final constructed piece of iron work is the giant filigreed cross and stanchion marking his burial site. Although his body may be laid to rest, his monumental giants will withstand the tests of time

~ David Joyner