South Carolina's historical markers are consistent and easy to spot, a white background with black edges and black lettering that generally stand out from the background of trees and structures. This one is next to a small parking lot opposite Rita's, which was my destination this afternoon. It was easy to stop and read the marker.
The front reads, "This warehouse was built in 1913 as the schoolbook depository for the R.L. Bryan Company. The company, founded in 1844 by R.L. Bryan (1823-1900) and his brother-in-law James J. McCarter (d. 1872), was originally a bookstore and stationery shop on Main St. known as Bryan & McCarter. In 1900 R.L. Bryan & Company merged with the Bryan Printing Company, founded in 1889, to become the R.L. Bryan Company."
The reverse, "In 1901 the South Carolina General Assembly, in an effort to improve public education, adopted standardized texts. The R.L. Bryan Company, selected as the statewide distributor, used this building as its depository and warehouse from 1913 to 1973. In 1976 the building was renovated and opened as a restaurant, in one of the first examples of the adaptive reuse of historic buildings in this part of Columbia."
The R.L. Bryan Company is frequently described as Columbia's oldest continuously operating industry, with roots stretching back to the 1840s. It expanded into printing in the nineteenth century and eventually consolidated at Greystone Complex near the Riverbanks Zoo in 1969. The company is still in business today, operating as a commercial printing and fulfillment company.
It is marker number 40-128 and it was erected in 2003 by The Historic Columbia Foundation.
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