State Capitol:
The State House: Columbia was founded in 1786, replacing Charleston as
the state capital. The first State House was a wooden building built
in 1789. Construction on this State House began in 1855 and was not
completed until 1907. The Union Army during the Civil War did extensive
damage to the pre-war work and post-war work was slow due to various
problems. A major renovation was completed in 1998.
South Carolina was the 8th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1788.
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Front View of Capitol
viewed from Richardson Square named after Richard Richardson (1704-1780), a
Brigadier General of the Militia in the American Revolution and died while
a prisoner of the British.
Strom Thurmond statue is out in front. He was the only person elected to
the United States Senate by write-in vote, was longest serving member and
oldest person ever to serve in the Senate. viewed from Richardson Square
named after Richard Richardson (1704-1780), a Brigadier General of the
Militia in the American Revolution and died while a prisoner of the
British. |
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Liberty Bell:
The United States Department of the Treasury selected a
foundry in France to cast 55 full-sized replicas of the
Liberty Bell. States and territories of the United States
each received a bell as a gift to be displayed and rung
on special occasions. |
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South Carolina African American History Monument
Dedicated March 29, 2001. This monument traces African-American history from the trip from Africa, to the fight for freedom in the Civil War and the struggle for civil rights. The
two curved walls depict scenes of the African American in South Carolina.
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John C. Calhoun
Born March 18, 1782; Died March 31, 1850. A leading Southern
politician and politcal philosopher; served as Vice President
under Presidents John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. Resigned
his vice presidency to enter the Senate in 1832. Previously,
he had also served as a member of the House of Representatives,
Secretary of War and Secretary of State. |
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The House Chamber
The South Carolina House of Representatives consists of 124 members
elected for a two year term. The sergeant at arms places "the mace"
on the front of the large center desk to open a session. The mace
represents the authority of the House and was made in 1756.
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The Senate Chamber
The South Carolina Senate consists of 46 members each elected for
a four year term. The Senate session is opened by the sergeant
at arms placing a sword on the front desk. The original sword
dated back to 1704 but was stolen in 1941. A new sword was
presented to the state in 1951 by Lord Halifax, a former
British ambassador to the United States.
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Wade Hampton Monument
Wade Hampton was a member of the State HOuse and the then the
State Senate until in 1861. Served in the Conferate Army during
the Civil War as a calvary officer and was involved in numerous
battles. After the war he served as state governor, U.S. Senator
and U.S. Railroad Commissioner. Born March 23, 1818; died
April 11, 1902.
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The Palmetto Regiment Monument
A monument to honor the Palmetto Regiment of South Carolina in the
Mexican War. South Carolina's nickname is the Palmetto State.
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