Arsenal Hill in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Richard Samuel Roberts House
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012
1. Richard Samuel Roberts House Marker
Richard Samuel Roberts (1880-1936), a photographer who documented individuals, families, and institutions in Columbia’s black community and across S.C., lived here from 1920 until his death. Roberts, a self-taught photographer, moved his family from Florida to Columbia and bought this house at 1717 Wayne Street for $3,000. Roberts and his wife Wilhelmina Williams Roberts (1881-1977) raised their children here.
(Reverse text)
Roberts, who was a full-time custodian at the main Columbia post office, first used an outbuilding here for his photography studio. From 1922 to 1936 his studio was downtown at 1119 Washington Street. Roberts often advertised in the Palmetto Leader, the leading black newspaper in S.C. Some of Roberts’ best photographs were published in 1986 in A True Likeness: The Black South of Richard Samuel Roberts.
Erected 2012 by The Historic Columbia Foundation, the City of Columbia, and the S.C. Department of Transportation,. (Marker Number 40-160.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 34° 0.371′ N, 81° 2.707′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Harriett Cornwell Tourist Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Arsenal Hill (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hettie Anderson Homesite (about 700 feet away); Fleishman Family Chapel (about 700 feet away); Cemetery of the Columbia Hebrew Benevolent Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Entrance to Cemetery of the Columbia Hebrew Benevolent Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Figure Eight in South Carolina (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lace House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Additional commentary.
1.
Although labeled and casted 2011, marker was erected 2012
— Submitted March 11, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012
2. Richard Samuel Roberts House Marker, reverse side
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012
3. Richard Samuel Roberts House with Marker
Photographed By African American Registry
4. Richard Samuel Roberts
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012
5. Richard Samuel Roberts House and Marker looking south along Wayne Street
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,136 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 11, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
