The Wharf Steps and Old Guard House
These stone steps are part of the stone architecture built during Governor Charles Macarthy's tenure. They were finished in 1818 and led down from Wallace Johnson Street. The Guard House, located at the top of the steps, was constructed in 1819.
There were very few stone buildings in Freetown, either public or private, when Sir Charles MacCarthy took over as Governor. He began developing stone-built public structures, such as a splendid commissariat house at the Government Wharf. He reconstructed the entire wharf with stone breakwaters. He also directed the construction of a flight of stone steps. This was finished in 1818.
These are the steps leading down from Water Street (now Wallace Johnson Street) to the landing stage between the lower Commissariat (where the National Electoral Commission's offices are now located) and the French Company building (the massive refurbished building that houses the Auditing Company, KPMG). The picturesque vista was so appealing that someone once said that this wide elegant flight of steps seemed like a stream of water cascading down the dock. Therefore, The Wharf Steps and Old Guard House are considered one of the most beautiful historical sites in Sierra Leone.
They are frequently referred to as the "Portuguese stairs," which is incorrect because they were constructed centuries after the Portuguese had departed this part of Africa. The Guard House, located at the top of the steps, was constructed in 1819. MacCarthy, who lived close, was out every day supervising the work.
