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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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1556 Main Street

McCrory's Building

This three-story building was built in 1876 during the final years of the Reconstruction period. Wright’s Hotel occupied the upper stories while a clothing store occupied its ground level. By 1904, McCrory’s variety store occupied the street level, while the Hotel Caldwell operated from the second and third stories, which by 1919, became known as the St. John’s Hotel. In December 1925, a fire damaged the building’s interior, including the St. John’s Hotel, which never reopened. The building’s original walls were retained, but the interior was completely remodeled by Rutherford-Innes Construction Company. When the building reopened in late 1926, McCrory’s occupied all three levels.  

  • 1500 Block

    McCrory's, circa 1895. Image courtesy South Carolina State Museum

  • Civil Rights protestors in front of McCrory's.

    Civil Rights protestors gather in front on McCrory's five and dime on March 3, 1960. Image courtesy The State newspaper collection, Richland Library

  • McCrory's post-renovation (left), 1978.

    McCrory's post-renovation (left), 1978. Image courtesy Russell Maxey collection, Richland Library

Between late 1951 the spring of 1952, local architect Heyward S. Singley radically transformed the building’s original French Victorian style exterior to reflect the International Style. Alterations involved removing 19th-century details, enclosing upper-story windows, covering the walls with a modern brick veneer, and adding modern signage. In 2012, the building was rehabilitated again. Alterations to Singley’s mid-century design included adding horizontal banding of corrugated metal between the second and third floor windows. 

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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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