Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
"Chesnut Cottage"
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2010
1. "Chesnut Cottage" Marker
Erected 1938 by The Columbia Sesquicentennial Commission of 1936. (Marker Number 40-4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 1859.
Location. 34° 0.48′ N, 81° 1.578′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Marker is on Hampton Street, on the right when traveling east. Located between Henderson Street and Barnwell Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Victorian By Design (within shouting distance of this marker); Divided By Design (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilson Boyhood House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodrow Wilson Family Home & Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); Pieces of the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); A Fortunate Survivor
this page online
Regarding "Chesnut Cottage". The Chesnut Cottage is significant architecturally as an example of a “Columbia Cottage,” an adaptation of the standard Classical or Greek Revival-based cottage to local conditions and requirements. Historically, the Chesnut Cottage is significant as the home of General James and Mary Boykin Chesnut during the Civil War period. General Chesnut served on Jefferson Davis’s staff. Mary Chesnut provided future generation with eyewitness accounts of happenings during the 1860s with her Diary from Dixie, edited by Ben Ames Williams and published in 1905. In the fall of 1864, Davis was entertained at the Chesnut Cottage and from its front steps made a speech to a large crowd of the citizens of Columbia. Built ca. 1855-1860, the cottage has retained its original appearance. The one-and-one-half-story frame house, with a central dormer with an arched window has an unusual balustrade combining ironwork and wood. The portico, supported by octagonal columns, shelters a front doorway with sidelights and transom. Listed in the National
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010
2. "Chesnut Cottage" Marker, looking east along Hampton Street
National Register of Historic Places:
Chesnut Cottage ** (added 1971 - - #71000797)
♦ Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Person
♦Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
♦Architectural Style: Other, Classical Revival
♦Historic Person: Chestnut, Gen. James
♦Significant Year: 1855
♦Area of Significance: Politics/Government, Architecture
♦Period of Significance: 1850-1874
♦Owner: Private
♦Historic Function: Domestic
♦Historic Sub-function: Single Dwelling
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010
3. "Chesnut Cottage" Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010
4. "Chesnut Cottage"and Marker
National Register of Historic Places:
Chesnut Cottage ** (added 1971 - Building - #71000797)
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
5. "Chesnut Cottage" Marker
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
6. "Chesnut Cottage" rear view
Library of Congress
7. James Chesnut
by Julian Vannerson, 1859
Photographed By Wikipedia
8. Mary Boykin Chesnut
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,560 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on September 30, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
