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

The Garden's Foundation

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

1. The Garden's Foundation Marker

Inscription.
Enslaved people began improving this property by the late 1820s. While they turned these four acres into a destination known throughout the United States for its native and exotic plants, their identities remain unknown. They may be among the 33 men, women and children listed as the human property of Mary Cantey Hampton [below] in her 1863 will.

[Captions:]
In 1947, commercial development destroyed the estate's grounds. Historical accounts and images, like this one from the April 15, 1865 issue of Harper's Weekly, have helped create the garden you see today.

Two families or households—Harrison, Sarah, Joseph, Elvina, David and Jacob, and Harriet, Charles Burgess, Isaac, Betty, Bill and Caleb—were among the enslaved people listed in the "Schedule of the Property of Mrs. Mary Hampton," of 1863. What work they did before emancipation and what became of them after gaining their freedom in 1865 remains unknown.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1865.

Location. 34° 0.624′ N, 81° 1.754′ W.

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Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It can be reached from Blanding Street east of Pickens Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1615 Blanding 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: Connected by History, Divided by Color (a few steps from this marker); A Garden Resource for Everyone (a few steps from this marker); Historic Fence and Gates Restoration (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens (a few steps from this marker); Hampton-Preston House (a

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

2. The Garden's Foundation Marker

few steps from this marker); Former Site of Columbia Theological Seminary (a few steps from this marker); Columbia Bible College, 1937-1960 / Westervelt Home, 1930 - 1937 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Powerful Garden (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Additional keywords. enslaved labor

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.