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

Setting Up Shop and Making Room for More Family

Photographed By Dave W, May 13, 2023

1. Setting Up Shop and Making Room for More Family Marker

Inscription.
The Mann-Simons property featured a building on this spot by the 1870s or 1880s. Represented by this steel frame structure, the building first contained shoe and furniture repair shops. In 1903, John Lucius Simons [b. 1859 - d. 1925 (?)] turned it into grocery. His brother, Charles [b. 1865 -d. 1933], and sister-in-law, Amanda [b. 1887 - d. 1960), took over the business two years later and ran it for thirty years. In the 1940s, Amanda rented the building to small business owners.

Extended family members typically rented the long, thin house that stood behind the store. Known as 1407 1/2 Richland Street, the building was built before 1872. Originally two rooms, it was enlarged with a bathroom addition during or after the 1910s. The structure is represented today by the partial frame.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 34° 0.712′ N, 81° 2.048′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Richland Street and Marion Street, on the left when traveling east on Richland Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1403 Richland St, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker. Agnes Jackson's Home (a few steps from this marker); The Mann-Simons Site (a few steps from this marker); Mann-Simons Cottage (a few steps from this marker); The Family's First Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Food for Thought (within shouting distance of this marker); Prosperity and Property Ownership (within shouting distance of this marker); Ebenezer Lutheran Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church World War II Honor Roll (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Also see . . . Mann-Simons Site. The Mann-Simons Site, home to the same entrepreneurial African American family for nearly 130 years, now traces the journey of Columbia’s Black community from enslavement through urban renewal. (Submitted on December 24, 2023.)

Photographed By Dave W, May 13, 2023

2. Setting Up Shop and Making Room for More Family Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.