Livingstain & Sholk Families
In the mid-1890s, Harris Livingstain, a “King Street clothier,” operated in a rented shop at 440 King Street. By the early twentieth century, he had moved into 438 King Street, where he managed a busy pawn brokerage. Livingstain soon improved his property, replacing an earlier double shop with this three-story building, with retail on the ground floor and a spacious family residence upstairs. Harris and Mary Livingstain raised their six children above the store. During the mid-1920s, the Livingstains shared the living quarters with their daughter Ida and her husband, Harry Sholk. The Sholks stayed and raised their three children in the Livingstain family home.
Uncle Harry’s Pawnshop and Livingstain’s hardware and building supply firm were combined into Harris Livingstain Co., operated by Harris and Mary’s youngest son, Leo Livingstain, and later, by Leo and Theresa Livingstain’s son, Allan Livingstain.
For more information on the Livingstains, see the Levy-Livingstain family papers, Special Collections, College of Charleston.
Uncle Harry’s Up-Town Loan Office
Advertisement for Harris Livingstain's pawn brokerage, 438 King Street, 1904 city directory.
Uncle Harry’s Pawn Shop before 1912
Harris Livingstain's business as it appeared before this two-story building at 438 King Street was replaced in 1912.
Harris Livingstain’s pawn brokerage, ca. 1914
Shortly after Harris (1864–1935) replaced the older two-story building at 438 King Street with this new three-story structure. The business occupied the ground floor and the family lived on the second and third floors. Harris's son Leo (1902–1971) is standing on the far side of the automobile, near the entrance to the family home.
Harris Livingstain Co., 1930
438 King Street, interior.
Harris Livingstain Co., no date
438 King Street, interior.
Harris Livingstain Co., 1940s
438 King Street, with door to second- and third-story residence to the right of the storefront.