Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Efird's Department Store/Mast General Store
Photographed by Dave W, May 13, 2023
1. Mast General Store Marker
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 34° 0.404′ N, 81° 2.169′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Taylor Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1601 Main 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 is in 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: Speaking Truth to Power (a few steps from this marker); Lever Building (within shouting distance of this marker); W.T. Grant Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Taylor Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Schulte-United Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Lutheran Publication Building (within shouting distance of this marker); John C. Seegers (within shouting distance of this marker); Seegers-Habenicht Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Also see . . . National Register nomination form for the building.
This form was prepared
this page online
The Efirds Department Store building is eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for its local significance in the area of Commerce. Between 1919 and 1958, Efirds Department Store was one of the most significant stores in downtown Columbia, notable for its introduction of the one-price cash store concept to the city. As one of the earliest and most successful department stores on Main Street, Efirds set the tone for the downtown shopping experience that generations of Columbia shoppers experienced from the early to mid-twentieth century.(Submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
Photographed by Dave W, May 13, 2023
2. Efird's Department Store / Mast General Store Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 267 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 3. submitted on January 23, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
