Discovering Columbia, A Walk Through History and Nature

South Carolina

March 2022

Historic Grandeur and Thoughtful Reflections

Walking through downtown Columbia today was a great way to get to know the city. We started in the Robert Mills District, passing by historic mansions and green gardens. Mann-Simons House, Seibel’s House and Woodrow Wilson Family Home were lovely, but the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Robert Mills House stood out the most. The Hampton-Preston Mansion, one of Columbia’s oldest buildings, has a peaceful garden right in the middle of the city. Across the street, the Robert Mills House shows off the style of the man who designed the Washington Monument. We saw that same elegant look in its columns.

The classical buildings were impressive, but the African American History Monument at the State House was the highlight of the day. The monument, shaped like an African village, features bronze reliefs depicting the 400-year story of Black South Carolinians. Seeing the journey from the arrival of slave ships in 1619 to today was moving, and the image of people being “stacked” for transport was especially hard to see. It’s a serious reminder of the city’s history with enslaved people.

Whimsical Landmarks and Urban Charm

We walked back through the Main Street District, which is full of old storefronts and new cafes. There, we found the “Busted Plug,” a huge four-story fire hydrant that looks like it could be in a Claes Oldenburg exhibit. It added some fun and playfulness to our afternoon. We ended our walk near the parking lot at a real local landmark, the Sylvan’s Jewelers Clock on Main and Hampton. It has stood there since the early 1900s.

And A Hike at Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve

After exploring downtown, we drove just south to the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve to hike the Timmerman Trail. We followed the creek, which was offering a serene, “swamp-like” experience under a canopy of pines and hardwoods. While it just felt like a quiet stroll across scenic boardwalks, we were actually crossing one of the most historically significant landscapes in the Southeast.

This ground was home to Native American civilizations for thousands of years, but it was also the site of the Civil War. We walked alongside the earthworks built in 1865 by both free and enslaved African Americans. These massive fortifications were a final attempt to help Confederate forces defend the Old State Road Bridge against General Sherman’s advancing Union troops.

A Final Farewell to a City with Variety

As we said goodbye to Columbia, SC, one thing had become clear to us. It’s a place where you are surrounded by grand architecture, deep history, wild nature, and playful art. At least for us, that unique combination made this capital city a truly appealing and fascinating destination.