Site of the surrender of Columbia South Carolina. It is very…read moreclose to downtown, will not take much time to visit, but is an absolute must. An engraved rock marks the location and serves as a remembrance of the occasion of the surrender of the city of Columbia South Carolina. Columbia, a major city in the confederacy and the birthplace of the secession movement, was a strategic target for general Sherman and the Union forces. The succession convention, was the first, and it was the only convention to unanimously vote to leave the Union. Sherman and his troops' desire to exact revenge on the city was deep, according to historical documents. In advance of the Union forces attacked in the city, the Confederate troops burn down the bridges leading to the city on February 16, 1865, under the direction of General Wade Hampton III. Hampton, The grandson of a Revolutionary War hero, and considered a hero in his own right, evacuated his troops and placed the mayor, TJ Goodwyn in charge. Union forces began to shell the city from across the river. Seeing what happened to other cities, and hoping to spare Columbia, he ordered Mayor Goodwyn to surrender the city on the morning of the 17th just north of the city. Between 8 AM and 9 AM, the city's Aldermen and the Mayor surrendered formally to Sherman's troops. Unfortunately, this did not help as Sherman and his troops proceeded to torch the city at night. At least two thirds of the city burned as troops set fire to homes, businesses, schools, municipal buildings, and churches. In 1914, the United daughters of the Confederacy held a dedication ceremony featuring the sole surviving witness, Norton W. Brooker, and six descendants of the mayor. The engraved rock sits in front of the church on the corner of River Road and Beaufort Street in the historic Earlewood neighborhood.

Thanks so much for this valuable information! I've been trying to find the location of the site of…read moreColumbia's surrender. I grew up there and have lived in Charlotte for the last 19 years, but plan to ride by tomorrow! Is there not a marker for the site of Camp Sorghum? I have the general area mapped out but I guess there are no traces left. Thanks again!

This lovely park is a historic memorial garden that was established in 1944-1945 by the Garden Club…read moreof South Carolina. It was the first memorial garden sponsored by a state garden club in the United States that recognized veterans of World War II. The marker out front points out some other facts. On the front, "This garden was established in 1944 by the Garden Club of South Carolina. It was the first memorial garden in the U.S. created by a state garden club in honor and in memory of those who served in World War II. Sarah P. Boylston donated part of her own garden for it, and noted landscape architect Loutrel W. Briggs (1893-1977) donated his landscape design. It opened in 1946 and was dedicated at its completion in 1957." And on the back side, "This garden was described in a 1946 award citation from the National Council of State Garden Clubs as "expressed in terms of beauty, a place apart." It has long hosted events on Memorial Day and other occasions. The Garden Club of South Carolina, founded in 1930, was incorporated in 1945. It and its member clubs and leaders promote education, beautification, and environmental awareness." The gates were closed today but I was able to look through them and over the walls to still enjoy this lovely space. I'd like to return when it's open and accessible. There is street parking. [Review 14029 overall, 1351 of 2020, number 666 in South Carolina.]

We've come a long way and still have a ways to go. This marker points out one of the milestones of…read morethat journey. It stands across the street from the South Carolina State House (you can see it in the background of one of the photos) and reminds us of one of the turning points in the Civil Rights struggle and the power of the Bill of Rights. The front of the marker reads, "On March 2, 1961, over 200 African American college and high school students marched 6 blocks from Zion Baptist Church to the S.C. State House in an NAACP-organized protest of racial segregation. Led by Benedict College theology student David Carter, protesters walked the capitol grounds, carried signs, and, when ordered to disperse, sang patriotic and religious songs. Despite the orderly nature of the protest. 190 people were arrested for disturbing the peace." The reverse reads, "Defended by NAACP lawyers. including local attorneys Matthew Perry and Lincoln C. Jenkins Jr. 187 students appealed their convictions to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1963, the Court ruled 8-1 that the arrests violated the 1st and 14th Amendments. The decision, styled Edwards v. South Carolina after lead plaintiff James Edwards Jr. was a landmark ruling cited to defend activists across the U.S. declaring states may not "make criminal the peaceful expression of unpopular views."" This is marker number 40-214 and it was erected by "Columbia S.C. 63." [Review 2193 of 2024 - 1166 in South Carolina - 23211 overall]

What is that and why is there a length of super chain joining these two buildings? Yes, that's the…read more"Neverbust Chain" and it was installed in 2000 to connect two very large office buildings in downtown Columbia. The installation is by local artist Blue Sky (aka Warren Edward Johnson) who is also responsible for the nearby works "Tunnelvision" and "Busted Plug Plaza". Maybe they're fake? Nope, these are actual steel chain links that were welded together and hand about 15 feet over this small alleyway. According to the artist's statement, "One building looked like it was leaning a little bit." Check it out (and those other two) in downtown Columbia. [Review 2186 of 2024 - 1159 in South Carolina - 23204 overall]

Never Bust Chain is a work of art by Blue Sky, a SC artist. Only approval from the owners of the…read morebuildings was involved but this work of art gained immediate government approval due to the renown of the artist. 2000 pounds of hydraulic pressure was required to link the final parts of the chain together while professional welding occurred. Whimsical tourist point of interest in Columbia, SC.

Very beautiful historical house in Columbia. They also have a garden around house…read more I attended a volunteer orientation at this house and the staff was very professional. The building is highly maintain and we'll taken care of. They have parking along the street. Great place to to have a meeting, grp event, or maybe lunch in the garden. The class was very informative, cant wait to get started. Lots of history in Columbia, SC! I would highly recommend this to friends and family members. For more info please call for tix to any of the historic houses in Columbia. The fee to enter is a reasonable priced.

Wedding Venue Pros - Affordable…read more- Indoor / outdoor - Tons of different layout options - Beautiful trees / backdrop for your ceremony - Gorgeous house - Fantastic photo opps Wedding Venue Cons - THEY DON'T CLEAN anything. You're responsible to clean everything THAT NIGHT. - NO DECORATING TIME. You can't decorate the night before or the morning of. You pay for an 8 or 12 hour timeframe and that's all you get. If you're there before or after you don't get your $500 deposit back. Twelve hours may seem like plenty of time. IT'S NOT. Especially if you're doing the ceremony and reception there. - Not all the day-of Seibel's House reps are helpful. The first half of the day the rep was really helpful. The evening rep was rude and disappeared on a personal phone call for hours. Completely unprofessional. - The Bridal Suite AC wasn't working. Even in November, it was crazy hot in the suite. I was sweating getting ready, not ideal for a bride. My bridal party ended up having to spend our time in the back room downstairs. PHOTO CREDIT: Alexis Schwallier Photography

This marker stands at the entrance to Benedict College and points out some of the history of this…read moregreat learning institution. The marker is on two sides. On the front, "Benedict College, founded in 1870 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society to educate freedmen and their descendants, was originally called Benedict Institute. It was named for Stephen and Bathsheba Benedict of Rhode Island, whose bequest created the school. Mrs. Benedict donated money to buy land in Columbia for it. The institute was chartered as Benedict College in 1894. Its early presidents were all white Baptist ministers from the North." And on the back, "By the time Dr. J.J. Starksbecame Benedict College's first black president in 1930, its curriculum included primary and secondary courses, college-level liberal arts courses, and courses in theology, nursing, and teaching. This curriculum was streamlined in the 1930s to emphasize the liberal arts and theology. Benedict College was also a significant center for civil rights activities in Columbia from the 1930s through the 1960s. " Annual enrollment exceeds 3000 students and the alumni includes LeRoy T. Walker (former chairman of the US Olympic Committtee), Kris Bruton (Harlem Globetrotters) and Jack B. Johnson (former county executive for Price George's County, Maryland). [Review 14039 overall, 1361 of 2020, number 676 in South Carolina.]

This marker is diagonally across from the Governor's mansion in the Arsenal Hill neighborhood of…read moreColumbia. Red brick apartment buildings and other homes are here now, but there used to be more. The marker reads, "On the SW corner of this square was located the Palmetto Armory, later called Palmetto Iron Works, originally built for converting flint and steel muskets into percussion guns. Arms and munitions were manufactured here during the Confederate War, 1861-1865." [Out of order because of the Yelp hamsters.] [Review 14031 overall, 1353 of 2020, number 668 in South Carolina.]

Can there be a proper American city without a reference to the Father of our country? This marker…read morenear the South Carolina State Capitol points out the history of this street and how it came to get this name. The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "This street is named for George Washington, commander of the Continental Army throughout the Revolution, first President of the United States, and president of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Early in his presidency, Washington toured the southern states. He visited South Carolina in 1791 and spent May 22-24 in the new capitol city, Columbia. While here, he attended a public dinner in the new State House." The marker was erected in 1978 by the Richland County Bicentennial Commission and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Columbia. It is marker Number 40-71. [Review 2189 of 2024 - 1162 in South Carolina - 23207 overall]