The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Columns, The

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Institution Name: Columbia College (SC)
Original/Historic Place Name: Columns, The
Location on Campus: Southeast campus quadrant
Date(s) of Construction:

1979	original construction

Designer:
Type of Place: Landscape site
Style: (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education, landscape
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Function:

1979-present (2006)	outdoor space (the rotunda is still the site of small campus ceremonies and social events)
1979-present (2006)	memorial site (the rotunda was built to perpetuate the original architecture of the 1910 main building that burned in 1964; the Columns was dedicated in celebration of the college's 125th anniversary)

Narrative:
The small columned rotunda familiarly known as The Columns is important to the history of Columbia College because it recalls the architecture of the 1910 main building that burned in 1964. The Columns was erected in 1979 through the generosity of an alumna who had attended Columbia College prior to the burning of the main building complex that had served as classrooms, administrative offices, and dormitory. The Columns is regularly maintained because it is frequently used for campus ceremonies and social events, such as the Christmas Tree Lighting and weddings.

References:

Savory, Jerold. Columbia College: The Ariail Era. Columbia, SC: R. L. Bryan, 1979.