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

The Mann-Simons Site

1843 - 1970

Photographed by Dave W, May 13, 2023

1. The Mann-Simons Site Marker

Inscription.
Today, a single building stands on land once filled with many houses and businesses. It links us to a journey experienced by generations of one African American family for more than 125 years. Their story is one of overcoming slavery, challenging the racism of the Jim Crow South and creating a future for their descendants. It is a complicated story of adversity and perseverance and of obstacles and achievements that helped shape Columbia.

Erected by Historic Columbia Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. 34° 0.707′ N, 81° 2.06′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it

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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: A different marker also named Mann-Simons Site (here, next to this marker); Making History One Generation at a Time (here, next to this marker); Agnes Jackson's Home (a few steps from this marker); The Family's First Home (a few steps from this marker); Food for Thought (a few steps from this marker); Setting Up Shop and Making Room for More Family (a few steps from this marker); Prosperity and Property Ownership (within shouting distance of this marker); Out With the Old and In With the New (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mann-Simons Cottage (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near

Photographed by Dave W, May 13, 2023

2. The Mann-Simons Site Marker

it).

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.)

Mann-Simons Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

3. Mann-Simons Site

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 3. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.