• 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 Union Station

SC PICTURE PROJECT 5 Comments

SC Picture Project / Richland County / Columbia Union Station

Union Station in Columbia was built in 1902 and was originally the home of the Southern Railway and Atlantic Coast line. The station was designed by prominent Southeastern architect, Frank P. Milburn. The Jacobethan Revival architecture of the station’s stepped gables, chimneys, brick, and stone are all inspired by English Manor House designs. Some of Milburn’s projects in South Carolina include the Anderson County Courthouse, the O’Donnell House in Sumter, and perhaps most notably the South Carolina State House, also in Columbia.

Columbia, SC Union Station

Ann Helms of Spartanburg, 2009 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Due to reduced rail traffic in the 1950s, the station sat empty with a section used for the Southern Railway for some time. The station has since been converted into a California Dreaming restaurant. Even though the Southern Railway and Atlantic Coast line no longer operate here, the CSX and Norfolk Southern trains still pass by on the tracks near the south side of the building.

Columbia UNion Station with Train

Joseph C. Hinson of Columbia, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Union Station is listed on the National Register:

(Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and Southern Railway Station) Designed by Frank P. Milburn, a prominent Southeastern architect, the ca. 1902 Union Station is an excellent example of turn of the century eclectic architecture. Inspired by English Manor House designs of the sixteenth century, the stepped gables, the combination of brick and stone, and the towering chimneys place the building within the mainstream of Jacobethan Revival architecture in America. Milburn’s specialty was large public buildings. He also designed railway stations for New Orleans, Atlanta, Savannah and Knoxville. Milburn’s architectural credo was the progressive cry of his day – to erect “artistic as well as durable buildings.” He insisted upon using only materials of the highest quality and accepted only the finest workmanship. The attention given to decorative details in Union Station, such as the carved wooden brackets, the oriental inspired ironwork, and the acanthus capitals, displays Milburn’s emphasis on quality of design and materials. Without sacrificing design or proportion, Milburn created a functional structure for railroad travel at the beginning of the twentieth century. The building was open to the public on January 14, 1902

Plan Your Trip: Columbia Union Station

Where is Columbia Union Station located?
Address: 401 South Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
GPS Coordinates: 33.990673,-81.029292
What else should I see?
Lieber College 0.8 mile
McKissick Museum 0.8 mile
Melton Observatory 0.8 mile
USC Horseshoe 0.9 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Columbia Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina National Register
  • See other South Carolina Trains & Depots
    Columbia Union Station 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

    Robert Mills HouseRobert Mills House Default ThumbnailBig Apple Columbia Fire StationColumbia Central Fire Station USC School of MedicineUSC School of Medicine Rutherford HouseRutherford House

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ron Sheppard says

      June 9, 2014 at 12:01 PM

      There was a two lane bridge by Union Station that crossed over the tracks on Assembly Street. This bridge was torn down probably in the 60s. I have been trying to find a picture of this bridge for years. Can anyone help me? Email to shepraven@yahoo.com.com

      Reply
    2. Ron Varner says

      February 24, 2014 at 10:37 PM

      My father was a conductorfor Southern Railway. As an 8/9 year old, I rode many times to Columbia from Charleston on passenger train 27/28. Recently I was in arestaurant and realized this was the old Union Station. Brought back a flood of great memories.

      Reply
      • Denise says

        April 14, 2020 at 1:37 PM

        Fascinating. It truly is awesome to think of the people and things that transpired there historically; standing in the very building in which so many things happened in the past.

        Reply
    3. Joe Hinson says

      January 15, 2013 at 11:35 AM

      Norfolk Southern (formerly Southern) trains pass on the tracks directly beside the building. CSX passes further down Assembly on the former ACL. ACL passenger trains would have had to get on the Southern tracks back in the day.

      Reply
    4. maurice english says

      November 28, 2010 at 1:28 AM

      September 1951, along with 3 other US Air Force volunteers, I left union station on the way to Atlanta to make connections to go west to Texas. Although it was segregated, we were treated with respect.

      Reply

    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 © 2022 · All Rights Reserved