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

Court House Square

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010

1. Court House Square Marker

Inscription.
Richland County's second court house was built in 1803-04 on the northeast corner of Richardson (Main) and Washington Streets. In the 1850s, it was razed and a new court house erected on the same site. On the southeast corner was located the Athenaeum, incorporated in 1856, which contained a lecture and exhibit hall and a library. The Athenaeum and the new court house were both burned by Union troops in 1865.

Erected 1970 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History, sponsored by The Columbia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. (Marker Number 40-53.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the South Carolina Historical Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 34° 0.235′ N, 81° 2.073′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It is on Washington Street near Main Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is affixed to the Washington Street side of the Carolina National Bank, corner of Main and Washington Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 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

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within walking distance of this marker: Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo (here, next to this marker); Washington Street (a few steps from this marker); The Palmetto Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Legacies of The Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); Sarah Mae Flemming (within shouting distance of this marker); Deluge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 'We Kept the Fire Going' (about 400 feet away); Vietnam Veterans & POWs (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Site of Carolina Hall (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 9, 2010

2. Court House Square Marker

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 9, 2010

3. Court House Square Marker

Court House Square Marker seen looking south along Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 9, 2010

4. Court House Square Marker seen looking south along Main Street

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 826 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on January 12, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.