Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Site of Blanding House

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2010

1. Site of Blanding House Marker

Inscription. In this square stood the home of Colonel Abram Blanding (1776-1839) for whom this street was named. He was first principal, Columbia Male Academy 1798, a noted lawyer and philanthropist, ably served the state on Board of Public Works 1819-28. Financed and built city's first water works, 1820.

Erected 1938 by The Columbia Sesquicentennial Commission of 1936. (Marker Number 40-16.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.

Location. 34° 0.538′ N, 81° 2.013′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Marker is on Blanding Street near Marion Street, on the right when traveling west. 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. Beth Shalom Synagogue (within shouting distance of this marker); Ladson Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); DeBruhl-Marshall House (about 500 feet away); Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church World War II Honor Roll (about 700 feet away); Church of the Good Shepard (about 800 feet away); Bethel A.M.E. Church

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(about 800 feet away); Blanding Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Laurel Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding Site of Blanding House. Abram Blanding, the town's first school teacher and attorney, built Columbia's first waterworks. Pumping water with a steam engine to a wooden tank, water was carried by cast iron and lead pipes to the homes and businesses of the city.

The city purchased the system from Blanding at a third of his investment in 1835. As a tribute to Blanding, the town council later changed the name of Walnut Street to Blanding Street.
(History of Columbia)

Site of Blanding House Marker and current house on site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010

2. Site of Blanding House Marker and current house on site

Site of Blanding House Marker, looking along Blanding Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010

3. Site of Blanding House Marker, looking along Blanding Street

Site of Blanding House , west side view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 27, 2010

4. Site of Blanding House , west side view

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,059 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 20, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on March 27, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.