The Old Marine Hospital was built in 1831 to 1833 as a medical facility for sick sailors and transient individuals. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style by the famous architect, Robert Mills.

During the Civil War, the Old Marine Hospital continued to serve seamen, but the Confederates also managed to use it as well. When the Unions bombarded the area, it was heavily damaged and required a good amount of repairs.
After the Civil War, the Old Marine Hospital served as a school for African American children, and then functioned as the Jenkins Orphanage for black children from 1895 to 1939 when it was transformed to house offices of the Housing Authority of Charleston.

The Old Marine Hospital was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.