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

The South Caroliniana Library

1840

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009

1. The South Caroliniana Library Marker

Inscription. The central portion of this structure is the oldest freestanding college library in the United States and has served continuously as a library since its completion in 1840. It is based upon design elements by South Carolina native and nineteenth-century federal architect Robert Mills. Its reading room was inspired by Charles Bulfinch's 1818 design for the US Capitol's Library of Congress room, which was destroyed by fire in 1851.

Known only as the College Library for its first 100 years, wings designed by architect J.Carroll Johnson were added in 1927. When a larger main library was erected in 1940, this building became a respository for published and unpublished materials relating to the history, geography, literature, and culture of South Carolina. It was named South Caroliniana Library-- the term "Caroliniana" meaning "things pertaining to Carolina."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 33° 59.898′ N, 81° 1.792′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It can be reached from Sumter Street near College Street, on the right when traveling north. Located near northeast side entrance to USC Horseshoe. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: University of South Carolina World War I Memorial (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The South Caroliniana Library (a few steps from this marker); Elliott College (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Harper College (within shouting distance of this marker); The L. Marion Gressette Euphradian Society Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); University of South Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.C. During Reconstruction (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding The South Caroliniana Library. The South Caroliniana Library predates those of Harvard (1841), Yale (1846), and Princeton (1873).

Also see . . . University Libraries South Carolinaiana Library. (Submitted on September 1, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

The South Caroliniana Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 16, 2009

2. The South Caroliniana Library

The South Caroliniana Library Marker, seen at right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 16, 2009

3. The South Caroliniana Library Marker, seen at right

Photographed by Usc

4. The South Caroliniana Library

reading room destroyed by fire in 1851

The South Caroliniana Library War Memorial Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 21, 2011

5. The South Caroliniana Library War Memorial Fountain

Plaque at right honors Patriots of the Revolutionary War

The South Caroliniana Library South and west (front )elevations image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, M.B. Paine, April 1934

6. The South Caroliniana Library South and west (front )elevations

Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC,40-COLUM,2A-1

The South Caroliniana Library North elevation image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, M.B. Paine, April 1934

7. The South Caroliniana Library North elevation

Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC,40-COLUM,2A-2

The South Caroliniana Library First floor entrance hall image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, M.B. Paine, April 1934

8. The South Caroliniana Library First floor entrance hall

Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC,40-COLUM,2A-3

The South Caroliniana Library Main Reading room, looking east image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, M.B. Paine, April 1934

9. The South Caroliniana Library Main Reading room, looking east

Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC,40-COLUM,2A-4

The South Caroliniana Library View from north gallery image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, C.O. Greene, September 21, 1940

10. The South Caroliniana Library View from north gallery

Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC,40-COLUM,2A-8

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,272 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on December 10, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on May 12, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.