A quick note: The photograph above is actually of the replicas of the sword gate that were added to the new Johnson Hagood Stadium, and having the gate against the flat concrete background provides an easier image than the actual gate which is located at the entrance to campus on Jenkins Avenue, facing Hampton Park, where the intricate ironwork might be obfuscated by trees in the background. Thank you.
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The Summerall Gate at The Citadel, originally known as the Sword Gate, has a rich and complex history that dates back to Charleston’s early days of law enforcement and civic architecture. This iconic gate, now a defining feature of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, is not only a symbol of the institution’s heritage but also a remarkable piece of Charleston’s ironwork legacy.
The story of the Sword Gate begins in the 1840s, when it was designed by architect Charles F. Reichardt, known for his contributions to Charleston’s architectural landscape. Reichardt’s design was part of a larger project for a new Guard House, located at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets in downtown Charleston. The Guard House was intended to serve as the headquarters for the City Guard, a paramilitary police force that evolved from the colonial Town Watch into a formal, uniformed police force by 1856.
The gate itself was crafted by Christopher Werner, a renowned ironworker who had made a name for himself with his intricate and masterful iron designs. Werner’s work was highly regarded, and the Sword Gate was no exception. The gate featured intricate ironwork depicting crossed swords, spears, and other military symbols, making it a fitting entrance for a military or civic building.
However, despite its grandeur, the Sword Gate was never installed at the Guard House. It was deemed too expensive and elaborate for the building, leading the city to reject its installation. Instead, the gate was sold to George A. Hopley, a prominent Charlestonian, who installed it at the entrance to his residence at 32 Legare Street. This private installation of the gate, which became known as the Sword Gate House, marked the beginning of the gate’s storied journey through Charleston’s history.
The Guard House continued to serve as a central part of Charleston’s law enforcement infrastructure until it was severely damaged in the Charleston earthquake of 1886. The building was subsequently deemed unsalvageable and demolished, with a new police station constructed elsewhere in the city. The site of the former Guard House was eventually sold to the federal government, and the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse now occupy the location.
In 1922, The Citadel was expanding its campus and acquired the site of the former police station, along with surrounding properties. The Sword Gate, with its rich history and military symbolism, was moved from the Hopley residence and installed at The Citadel’s campus, where it became known as the Summerall Gate, named in honor of General Charles P. Summerall, who served as president of The Citadel from 1931 to 1953.
Interestingly, after General Summerall retired, the gate was temporarily moved to his personal estate in Aiken named Whitehall. During this period, Summerall’s personal insignia was added to the gate, further personalizing this already significant piece of history. The gate was returned to The Citadel campus after his death, where it was reinstalled as the Summerall Gate.
The relocation of the gate to The Citadel, along with the addition of Summerall’s insignia, marked the culmination of its journey. The gate’s military motifs aligned perfectly with The Citadel’s ethos, a school dedicated to producing leaders in the armed forces and public service. The gate now serves as a prominent entrance to the campus, symbolizing both Charleston’s rich history of military and civic pride and the enduring legacy of The Citadel.
Today, the Summerall Gate stands as one of the most recognizable symbols of The Citadel. It is a testament to the craftsmanship of Christopher Werner and the vision of Charles F. Reichardt, as well as a reminder of Charleston’s rich history of military and civic pride. The gate’s journey from a rejected Guard House installation to a beloved feature of The Citadel’s campus, with a brief sojourn at Summerall’s residence, is a story of resilience, adaptation, and the preservation of history.
You can check our Summerall Gate Collection here to find a piece of this history you can wear every day.