“G” is for Grace, John Patrick (1874-1940). Politician. Of Irish descent, Grace was born in Charleston. He was elected mayor of Charleston in 1911, thanks to strong support in the city’s ethnic and working-class wards. During his first term Grace accelerated park construction, enacted health legislation, and improved rail access to Charleston at competitive rates. Defeated for re-election in 1915, Grace was again elected mayor in 1919. During his second administration (1919-1923), the city purchased the decaying wharves on the Cooper River from the Terminal Company. Grace waged a tenacious battle to create the Ports Utility Commission—the forerunner of the State Ports Authority—to manage the docks. Later, John Patrick Grace was president of Cooper River Bridge, Inc., which built the bridge connecting Charleston with Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, and the Isle of Palms.
“G” is for Grace, John Patrick (1874-1940)
