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

Hampton-Preston House

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010

1. Hampton - Preston House Marker

Inscription. Built about 1818 by Ainsley Hall. Purchased 1823 by Wade Hampton, I. Inherited by his daughter, Mrs. John S. Preston, 1863. Headquarters of Union Gen. J. A. Logan, 1865; residence of Gov. F. J. Moses 1872-74; Ursuline Convent 1887-90; College for Women 1890-1915; Chicora College for Women 1915-30. The gardens, developed during Hampton-Preston ownership, were adorned with work of Hiram Powers, sculptor.

Erected 1938 by The Columbia Sesquicentennial Commission of 1936. (Marker Number 40-7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 34° 0.619′ N, 81° 1.764′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It is on Blanding Street. Located between Henderson Street and Pickens Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Historic Fence and Gates Restoration (here, next to this marker); A Garden Resource for Everyone (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens (here, next to this marker); Connected by History, Divided by Color (here, next to this marker); Columbia Bible College, 1937-1960 / Westervelt Home, 1930 - 1937 (here, next to this marker); Hampton-Preston Welcome Garden (a few steps from this marker); Former Site of Columbia Theological Seminary (a few steps from this marker); The Garden's Foundation (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding Hampton-Preston House. The

Hampton - Preston House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010

2. Hampton - Preston House

National Register of Historic Places : Hampton-Preston House ** (added 1969 - Building - #69000172)

Hampton-Preston House is a handsome city mansion that was built in 1818 by Ainsley Hall, a Columbia merchant. Robert Yates was the contractor and Zachariah Philips served in the capacity of architect. Hall sold the house to the first Wade Hampton, fighter in the American Revolution and general in the War of 1812, planter, businessman, developer of the American West. His son, Wade Hampton II, lived in the house as did Wade Hampton III, the Civil War general, and state governor. The house is also associated with leading South Carolinian and state senator, John S. Preston. The South Carolina Presbyterian Institute for Young Ladies, later Chicora College, acquired the mansion in 1890. The house is of a post-Colonial, Classical Revival style, having a broad veranda across the front with Doric columns and a fanlight above. Inside is a sweeping circular stairway with mahogany rails. A crystal chandelier hangs in the middle of the hall. The rooms are spacious, and one is adorned with a white marble mantel by the sculptor Hiram Powers. The gardens covered a city block and were known throughout the state, but have been plowed under and felled,

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, October 25, 2006

3. Hampton - Preston House

later becoming a parking lot. Listed in the National Register July 29, 1969.
(South Carolina Department of Archives and History)

National Register of Historic Places:
Hampton-Preston House ** (added 1969 - - #69000172)
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering, Person
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Yates,Robert, Philips,Zachariah
♦ Architectural Style: Other
♦ Historic Person: Preston, John S.
♦ Significant Year: 1818
♦ Area of Significance: Education, Politics/Government, Landscape Architecture, Religion
♦ Period of Significance: 1875-1899, 1850-1874, 1825-1849, 1825-1849
♦ Owner: State
♦ Historic Function: Domestic
♦ Historic Sub-function: Single Dwelling

Hampton - Preston House , rear view image. Click for full size.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, October 25, 2006

4. Hampton - Preston House , rear view

Historic American Buildings Survey, Jack E. Boucher, April 1960

5. Hampton - Preston House

Historic American Engineering Record HABS SC-869-1

Hampton - Preston House Marker seen along Blanding Street , looking west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 21, 2010

6. Hampton - Preston House Marker seen along Blanding Street , looking west

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,762 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on May 14, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on February 26, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.