Olympia-Granby in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Original Mill Village Outhouse

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

1. Original Mill Village Outhouse Marker

Inscription.
When mill houses were first built in 1900, there was no indoor plumbing. Every residence had an "outhouse" like this one, which is one of the originals in this area. The Spanish Influenze struck Columbia in 1918, the mill villages were hit hard. The mills had to close for several weeks for lack of workers. Soup wagons were brought for the village to help feed the workers. The mill owners decided to install indoor plumbing. By 1920 every house in Olympia Mill Villages had an indoor bathroom on its back porch and running water in the kitchens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 33° 58.713′ N, 81° 1.68′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Olympia-Granby. It can be reached from Olympia Avenue east of Virginia Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1170 Olympia Ave, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is

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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: Vintage Tool and Toy Collection (here, next to this marker); Clothes Washing Station (here, next to this marker); Outhouse (here, next to this marker); Mill Village Yard (here, next to this marker); Quarry - 'Rock Hole' (a few steps from this marker); Olympia Mill School/Museum House (a few steps from this marker); Jaco's Corner (a few steps from this marker); Mill Village Design (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Additional keywords. epidemics; Spanish Flu epidemic

Several markers along the railing image. Click for full size.

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

2. Several markers along the railing

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 41 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.