Arsenal Hill in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Richard Samuel Roberts House
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012
1. Richard Samuel Roberts House Marker
Richard Samuel Roberts (1880-1936), a photographer who documented individuals, families, and institutions in Columbias black community and across S.C., lived here from 1920 until his death. Roberts, a self-taught photographer, moved his family from Florida to Columbia and bought this house at 1717 Wayne Street for $3,000. Roberts and his wife Wilhelmina Williams Roberts (1881-1977) raised their children here.
Roberts, who was a full-time custodian at the main Columbia post office, first used an outbuilding here for his photography studio. From 1922 to 1936 his studio was downtown at 1119 Washington Street. Roberts often advertised in the Palmetto Leader, the leading black newspaper in S.C. Some of Roberts best photographs were published in 1986 in A True Likeness: The Black South of Richard Samuel Roberts.
Erected 2012 by The Historic Columbia Foundation, the City of Columbia, and the S.C. Department of Transportation,. (Marker Number 40-160.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 34° 0.371′ N, 81°
this page online
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 within walking distance of this marker: Harriett Cornwell Tourist Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Arsenal Hill (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hettie Anderson Homesite (about 700 feet away); Fleishman Family Chapel (about 700 feet away); Cemetery of the Columbia Hebrew Benevolent Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Entrance to Cemetery of the Columbia Hebrew Benevolent Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Figure Eight in South Carolina (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lace House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Additional commentary.
1.
Although labeled and casted 2011, marker was erected 2012
— Submitted March 11, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012
2. Richard Samuel Roberts House Marker, reverse side
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012
3. Richard Samuel Roberts House with Marker
Photographed by African American Registry
4. Richard Samuel Roberts
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012
5. Richard Samuel Roberts House and Marker looking south along Wayne Street
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,401 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 11, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
