Spotlight on Philip Simmons and Charleston’s Ornamental Ironworks

Walking through downtown Charleston to shop or look for homes for sale, you’ll certainly notice the multitude of beautifully crafted wrought iron that adorns so many Charleston homes.

Charleston’s ornamental wrought iron takes the form of distinctive and unique gates, fences, window grilles, and balconies. More than 600 of these pieces were handcrafted by just one man: renowned blacksmith Philip Simmons.

Philip Simmons lived from 1912 to 2009. Born on Daniel Island, Simmons started working as an apprentice blacksmith when he was 13 years old. At age 18 he became a full-time blacksmith, opening his own shop in 1938 and specializing in ornamental iron. He handcrafted wrought iron until his retirement at age 75.

Philip Simmons iron fence, St. Phillip’s Church, Charleston, South Carolina. Photo courtesy Craft in America

You can see wrought iron created by Simmons all over downtown Charleston. Some of his most well-known public works includes the gate in front of the Charleston Visitor Center, the fence and gate of St. Phillip’s Church, and the Egret Gate located at 2 Michael’s Alley.

Charleston International Airport has an iron gazebo designed by Simmons. The work was commissioned in 2004.

Philip Simmons, Sword Gate, Charleston, South Carolina. Photo courtesy Craft in America

Simmons’ ironwork takes the shape of elaborate scrolls, curves, circles, flowers, leaves, and animals. His creations grace many private homes and gardens throughout Charleston.

Cataloguing the hundreds of ironworks created by Simmons has been the goal of the Philip Simmons Foundation since it was founded in 1991. The job is a momentous one.

A June 2009 article in Charleston magazine published shortly after his death noted that “nearly eight decades of work—everything from gates to window grills, railings to hinges—is scattered about, mostly concentrated in Charleston.”

The Lowcountry Digital Archive provides an interactive map where you can find locations and images for Philip Simmons ironwork on the Charleston peninsula.

Simmons won recognition and honors from the National Endowment for the Arts, the South Carolina General Assembly, and South Carolina State University. In 1998 he was presented with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in the State of South Carolina given in recognition of extraordinary achievement and service.

You can learn more about Philip Simmons by exploring these links:

• From Craft in America: Philip Simmons
• From Free Tours by Foot: Philip Simmons Ironwork in Charleston
• From the Lowcountry Digital Library and the Avery Research Center: Philip Simmons Collection
• From the Lowcountry Digital Library: Keeper of the Gate: Philip Simmons Ironwork in Charleston, South Carolina