Cigar Factory

The Cigar Factory, located at 701 East Bay Street in Charleston, South Carolina, is a historic industrial site originally built in 1881 as the Cotton Mill of Charleston. It became a cigar factory in 1912, serving as the largest private employer in the city during the 1930s. Notably, it was the site of the 1945–1946 Charleston Cigar Factory strike, where the civil rights anthem 'We Shall Overcome' originated. The building was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2024 after being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Following a $30 million redevelopment that began in 2014, the factory now houses various businesses, including restaurants and event venues, making it a vibrant destination for tourists and researchers alike.