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

Alston House

Photographed by Nancy Stone-Collum, August 23, 2019

1. Alston House Marker

Inscription. This Greek Revival cottage, built ca. 1872, was the residence and business of Caroline Alston, a black businesswoman who lived and ran a dry goods store here as early as 1873. She purchased the house in 1888, becoming one of the few black business owners in Columbia during the period. Alston, known for her "esteem and confidence" of her black and white customers, sold the house in 1906. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Erected 2014 by Richland County Conservation Commission. (Marker Number 40-156.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 34° 0.278′ N, 81° 1.406′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It is on Gervais Street (U.S. 1) east of Barnwell Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1811 Gervais Street, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wesley Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Gregg Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barnwell Street (about 300 feet away); Last Home of Wade Hampton

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(about 700 feet away); Henderson Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fair-Rutherford House / Rutherford House (approx. 0.2 miles away); S.C. Education Associaton (approx. ¼ mile away); Harden Street (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Sherman's Headquarters (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Alston House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nancy Stone-Collum, August 23, 2019

2. Alston House

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2019, by Nancy Stone-Collum of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,007 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2019, by Nancy Stone-Collum of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.