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The Robert Mills House will be closed to the public on Wednesday, March 22, through Sunday, March 26, 2023. Regular tours will resume on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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  1. Home
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  3. Forest Hills
  4. 2717 Canterbury Road

2717 Canterbury Road

2717 Canterbury Road

The "Little Parks" of Forest Hills

Prominent landscape architect and planner Harlan Page Kelsey (1872—1958) designed the layout and scenery of Forest Hills for Joseph Walker (1884—1983), a local cotton merchant who acquired the land in 1925 and served as the neighborhood's first developer. Kelsey was heavily invested in preserving and displaying the natural beauty of the Southeast, having been influential in the planning and creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For the Forest Hills project, Kelsey combined his knowledge of horticulture, landscape design and residential trends such as the contemporary 'City Beautiful' movement. Kelsey's design of Forest Hills was aimed at addressing the ills of the modern world by expressing his naturalist philosophy. He created nine 'little parks' spread throughout the neighborhood, ranging in size. The streets and parks of Forest Hills follow the natural topography of the land.  
 

  • Park at Canterbury and Wellington

    The Park at Canterbury and Wellington, 2015. Historic Columbia collection

  • Forest Hills Plan

    Historic Columbia collection

Directions:

    Previous1311 Wellington Drive

    Next2803 Canterbury Road

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    Historic Columbia

    © 2023 Historic Columbia

    Administrative Offices
    1601 Richland Street
    Columbia, SC 29201

    Tours
    All historic house and garden tours start at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills.
    1616 Blanding Street
    Columbia, SC 29201

    Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

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