Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Victory Savings Bank
February 24, 2014
1. Victory Savings Bank Marker
Inscription.
Victory Savings Bank, founded in 1921, was the first, and for many years the only, black-owned bank in S.C. It was chartered by I.S. Joseph as president and I.S. Leevy and C.E. Stephenson as vice presidents, and opened at 1107 Washington St. in the heart of Columbia’s black business district. It was in this building 1955-1985, then moved to Sumter St., where it became S.C. Community Bank in 1999. Dr. Henry D. Monteith, who became president in 1948, led the bank for many years. His sister Modjeska Monteith Simkins, notable civil rights leader, held several positions here. This bank offered loans to blacks after widespread economic reprisals, many related to the Clarendon County school desegregation case Briggs v. Elliott, later included in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case (1954).
Victory Savings Bank, founded in 1921, was the first, and for many years the only, black-owned bank in S.C. It was chartered by I.S. Joseph as president and I.S. Leevy and C.E. Stephenson as vice presidents, and opened at 1107 Washington St. in the heart of Columbia’s black business district. It was in this building 1955-1985, then moved to Sumter St., where it became S.C. Community Bank in 1999. Dr. Henry D. Monteith, who became president in 1948, led the bank for many years. His sister Modjeska Monteith Simkins, notable civil rights leader, held several positions here. This bank offered loans to blacks after widespread economic reprisals, many related to the Clarendon County school desegregation case Briggs v. Elliott, later included in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case (1954).
Erected 2014 by City of Columbia. (Marker Number 40-180.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 34° 0.166′ N, 81° 2.329′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Marker is on Washington Street west of Parks Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 919 Washington Street, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2018. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
