1908 Henderson Street
Thompson-Madden House
This former residence was home to three generations of the same African American family. Willis Howell built it for his wife, Sallie, in the late 19th century. Their granddaughter, prominent educator Wilhelmina Thompson (1903-1986), lived here her entire life.
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1908 Henderson Street. Historic Columbia collection
Like her mother before her, Wilhelmina attended Howard School, the only school open to African American pupils, until Booker T. Washington opened in 1916. Wilhelmina later graduated from Benedict College and the University of Michigan before returning to Columbia to teach at Waverly Elementary. She married Creswell Madden, a fellow educator, and was forced to give up teaching due to state law. She later served as a teacher trainer at Benedict College for more than 30 years. Creswell taught at Booker T. Washington from 1924 until 1926, where he introduced the school’s first sport teams. He later served as principal of the Howard School and Saxon Elementary School. The house was sold following Wilhelmina’s death in 1986 and today houses offices.