Skip to main content
Menu Close Menu

Historic Columbia

Donate
  • FAQs
Upcoming Events

Navigation

  • Tours
    • House Tours
      • Robert Mills House and Gardens
      • Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
      • Mann-Simons Site
      • The Museum of the Reconstruction Era
      • Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
      • Hours and Pricing
    • Garden Tours
      • Garden Database
    • Offsite Tours
      • Walking Tours
    • African American History Tours
    • Online Tours
  • Education
    • Field Trips
      • House Tours
    • Traveling Trunks
  • Support
    • Corporate Support
      • Additional Support Opportunities
      • Corporate Membership
      • Program & Event Sponsorship Options
    • Donate
    • Membership
      • Palladium
    • Volunteer
    • Partners and Donors
  • Rent a Venue
    • Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion
    • Seibels House and Garden
    • Robert Mills Carriage House and Gardens
    • Gardens of the Woodrow Wilson Family Home
    • Weddings
    • Photoshoots
    • Contact Us
  • Research
    • Object Collection
    • Projects and Initiatives
  • Preservation
    • Preservation Awards
    • Preservation Advocacy
    • Resources and Services
    • Economic Impact Study
    • Building Richland County
  • About
    • Blog
    • Board Members
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    • Staff Directory

Donate

  1. Home
  2. Online Tours
  3. University Hill
  4. Rutledge College

Rutledge College

University of South Carolina Horseshoe

The very first building constructed for South Carolina College, originally known as South Building, opened its doors in 1805. It contained a dormitory, lecture hall, chapel and library. In 1855, a fire severly destroyed the original elements of the chapel and the west wing of the building and was subsequently rebuilt. When the university was desegregated between 1873 and 1877, this building housed the State Normal School for Teachers, a program that trained African Americans to become teachers. The building is currently used for student dormitories, and the renovated chapel is available for rentals.

  • Rutledge College

    Rutledge College, "Artwork of Columbia, S.C., published by Gravure Illustration Company, 1905." Historic Columbia collection, HCF 2008.4.1H

  • Normal School 1875

    Graduates at the State Normal School for Teachers pose with their principal on the steps of Rutledge College. Image courtesy South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

  • Rutledge College 1875

    Rutledge College, circa 1875. Image courtesy South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

Directions:

    PreviousMcKissick Museum

    NextMaxcy Monument

    NTHP Preservation Award Winner
    Historic Columbia

    © 2025 Historic Columbia

    Administrative Offices
    1601 Richland Street
    Columbia, SC 29201

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

    Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

    Newsletter Signup

    newsletter signup

    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for events, news, and updates from Historic Columbia!

    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Flickr
    • Privacy Policy
    Website by Cyberwoven