Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
1900 Block of Henderson Street / William J. Sumter
Photographed By Nancy Stone-Collum, February 23, 2020
1. 1900 Block of Henderson Street Marker
(side 1)
This block features a dense collection of late 19th and early 20th c. houses historically associated with and home to African Americans. Residing here through the mid-1900s were many middle- and working-class African Americans, including barbers, teachers, nurses, carpenters, cooks, porters, maids, a butcher, a pastor, and a blacksmith.
By the 1940s, several properties here were owned by barber William J. Sumter.
(Continued from other side)
The house at 1931 Henderson St. was the home of William J. Sumter (1881-1967), an African American entrepreneur who owned and operated a well-known barbershop on Main St. from 1905-1954, said to have been the oldest in Columbia when it closed. Sumter purchased this house in 1909 from African American carpenter John W. Bailey. Sumter and his wife, Daisy A. Robinson, lived here with their children. He later owned 1921 and 1925 Henderson St., which he rented to tenants.
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Erected 2019 by Richland County Conservation Commission. (Marker Number 40-212.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 34° 0.857′ N, 81° 1.819′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Henderson Street and Calhoun Street, on the left when traveling north on Henderson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1931 Henderson St, 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. Colonel Thomas Taylor (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seibels House (about 500 feet away); Pieces of the Past (about 600 feet away); Taylor Burying Ground (about 600 feet away); Thomas Taylor / Taylor Cemetery (about 600 feet away); An Enduring Landmark (about 600 feet away); South Carolina State Hospital, Mills Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Columbia Male Academy (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Photographed By Nancy Stone-Collum, February 23, 2020
2. William J. Sumter Marker
Photographed By Nancy Stone-Collum, February 23, 2020
3. 3 generations of Sumter descendants
Photographed By Victoria
4. 1900 Block of Henderson Street / William J. Sumter Marker
Dr. and Mrs. John Dozier
Photographed By Victoria
5. William J. Sumter at 1931 Henderson Street
Photographed By Victoria
6. Mrs. William J Sumter
Photographed By Nancy Stone-Collum, February 23, 2020
7. William Sumter's Barber license
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2020, by Nancy Stone-Collum of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 367 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 10, 2020, by Nancy Stone-Collum of Columbia, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 27, 2020, by Victoria of Columbia, South Carolina. 7. submitted on March 11, 2020, by Nancy Stone-Collum of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
