Arsenal Hill in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hettie Anderson Homesite
Photographed by Dave W, May 29, 2023
1. Hettie Anderson Homesite Marker, Side One
Harriette Hettie Eugenia Anderson, acclaimed African American art model of the Gilded Age, grew up in a house at this site. Anderson was born in Columbia around 1875 to Caroline (Lee) Scott and Benjamin Dickerson. Her mother's family were local free people of color before the Civil War. Anderson and her family lived on the west side of Wayne Street on property owned by Scott and later by Anderson.
In the 1890s, Anderson moved to N.Y. and began modeling for prominent artists. She was fair-complexioned and listed in some records as white. She was said to have a "heroic appearance and often posed as classically inspired figures. Notable works for which she posed include Central Park's William T. Sherman Monument and the Saint-Gaudens double eagle gold coin. Anderson died in 1938 and is buried at nearby Elmwood Cemetery.
Erected 2022 by South Carollina African American Heritage Commission. (Marker Number 40-223.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Women. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 34° 0.261′ N, 81° 2.659′ W. Marker
this page online
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: Fleishman Family Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Entrance to Cemetery of the Columbia Hebrew Benevolent Society (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harriett Cornwell Tourist Home (about 600 feet away); Arsenal Hill (about 700 feet away); Richard Samuel Roberts House (about 700 feet away); Korean War Memorial (about 700 feet away); The Columbia (S.C.) Holocaust Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); South Carolina Gold Star Families (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Photographed by Dave W, May 29, 2023
2. Hettie Anderson Homesite Marker, Side Two
Photographed by Dave W, May 29, 2023
3. Hettie Anderson Homesite Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 546 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 23, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
