CHARLESTON is undoubably one of the South's most beautiful cities. The city founded in 1670 and soon became wealthy through plantations raising tobacco, rice and indigo. History places the first shot of the Civil War being fired just off the city's harbor, where people gathered to watch the Confederate seige of Fort Sumter. Charleston has preserved much of its original period architecture and is a very popular destination for those who like antebellum house and garden tours. A trip south from Old City Market to Battery takes in many sites along Church Street including the old magazine, the Gothic French Huguenot Church and the Heyward-Washington House.