Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Banksia
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
1. Banksia Marker
Banksia, named for the yellow roses of the same name that grow here, was commissioned in 1931 by Richard Howe Aiken Winter Colonist. The 14,000 sq. ft. Colonial Revival mansion, with 35 rooms, 15 bathrooms, and a ballroom, was designed by noted Augusta architect Willis Irvin. His plans used a 3,500 sq. ft. house known as the Harrington House that had stood on the property since the 1850s. It was incorporated as the right wing of Banksia.
After Howes death in 1943, Banksia was eventually sold and was first used in the early 1950s as a boarding house used by construction workers building the Savannah River Nuclear Plant. In 1957 it was bought by the Southern Methodist Church and used as a college. Later, it served as the first home of USC-Aiken from 1961 to 1972. From 1973 to 1983 it was used as the Aiken County Public Library. Since 1984 it has been home to the Aiken County Historical Museum.
Erected 2016 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by the Aiken County Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-57.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 33° 33.28′ N, 81° 43.49′ W. Marker is in Aiken, South Carolina, in Aiken County. It is on Newberry Street Southwest north of First Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 433 Newberry St SW, Aiken SC 29801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Augusta and 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: A different marker also
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
2. Banksia Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Aiken County Courthouse Bell (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Transit of Venus Observatory Structure, 1882 (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Aiken County Historical Museum. (Submitted on January 9, 2024.)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
3. Banksia Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
4. Banksia
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
5. Banksia
Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 31, 2023
6. Banksia
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
