Old South Carriage Company

Specialties

There’s no better way to see historic Charleston than from the vantage point of an Old South Carriage. Family owned and operated since 1983, Old South Carriage Company offers fully narrated hour-​long tours by licensed guides wearing the Confederate uniform with the Red Sash. Come to our English-​style stable at 14 Anson Street, just 2 blocks from The City Market and meet our friendly and professional staff. Reservations are not necessary as tours depart every 20 — 30 minutes throughout the day. A ramp leading to a platform makes boarding easy.

Old South Carriage Company uses French Percherons and Belgian draft horses. These sturdy employees vacation at Sugah Cain, the owner’s 65-​acre plantation on John’s Island. For 2 – 3 months annually, these beautiful horses are free to run in large pastures or leisurely graze under century-​old live oaks.

Tours operate daily from 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 (DST) 9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. (EST).

History

Established in 1983.

Old South Carriage was founded by David J. Compton in 1983 and continues today as leader in the tourism business.

Meet the Manager

Shawn M.

Manager

Shawn hails from Alexandria, VA, but has lived in Charleston, SC for 27 years. He came to Charleston courtesy of the US Navy to serve on Ballistic Submarines. In 1988 he left the Navy and began looking for work. He came across an ad for a carriage driver… that was 23 years ago. While working as a tour guide/​carriage driver he pursued a degree in Culinary from Johnson & Wales University (Charleston) and received an A.O.S in Culinary Arts, and a B.S. in Food Service Management. In 1998 he left the carriage industry to work in the food service business. 10 years later he came back to what he loves best; driving carriages, giving tours, hanging with the horses and entertaining the tourists. Although he has become a Manager at Old South Carriage Company, his first love will always be giving entertaining and informative historical tours of Charleston.