• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Columbia City Hall

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Richland County / Columbia City Hall

Completed in 1874, Columbia City Hall is the second oldest government building in the capital city, bested only by the State House. Built of blue granite from Fairfield County, it was designed by architect Alfred Mullett, at the time United States Supervising Architect. In this position, Mullett designed federal buildings across the country, including south wing of the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C.

Columbia CIty Hall

Michael Mascari of Blythewood, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The building was constructed to serve as a United States Court House and originally boasted an octagonal skylight on the third floor to allow natural light into the courtroom. The skylight was later concealed by a series of drop ceilings for decades before finally being restored in 2013. A post office was housed on the first floor of the building until a new post office building, now the South Carolina Supreme Court Building, was erected nearby in 1917.

Columbia City Hall

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

During the 1930s the federal government planned to demolish the building to make way for a new courthouse. The mayor of Columbia negotiated a deal with the government in which the city swapped adjacent land for the construction of a new courthouse in exchange for keeping the building. The former federal courthouse then became Columbia City Hall in 1937.

City Hall Columbia

Bill Segars of Hartsville, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Columbia City Hall is listed in the National Register:

(Old United States Courthouse and Post Office) The Old Court House and Post Office is one of the most impressive buildings in Columbia commanding a prominent position on upper Main Street. Designed in 1870 by Alfred B. Mullett, it is a superb example of Renaissance Revival architecture. In 1865, Mullett was appointed to the office of United States Supervising Architect where he remained for fifteen years. In this capacity he designed post office buildings for the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and others. He also designed the United States Mint Building in San Francisco and the south wing of the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. The Columbia Post Office is well designed and executed. The smooth beige Fairfield County granite walls contrast with richly carved decorative elements to create a strong three-dimensional effect. The building has housed various functions of national or city government for nearly a hundred years. Inside its walls have operated the court system, postal business, internal revenue services, and, since 1937, the building has contained offices used by the city government. Aside from the State House, it is the oldest government building in Columbia.

Plan Your Trip: Columbia City Hall

Where is Columbia City Hall located?
Address: 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
GPS Coordinates: 34.009024,-81.037197
What else should I see?
J. Bratton Davis Courthouse 0.1 mile
Arsenal Hill ARP Church 0.1 mile
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox 0.2 mile
Historic Bethel AME Church 0.3 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Columbia Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Courthouses
  • See other South Carolina National Register
  • See other South Carolina Post Offices
    Columbia City Hall Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    SC Supreme CourtSouth Carolina Supreme Court Default ThumbnailJohn C. Calhoun Building Default ThumbnailJ. Bratton Davis Courthouse Columbia Fire StationColumbia Central Fire Station USC School of MedicineUSC School of Medicine

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2023 · All Rights Reserved