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2214 Hampton Street

Visanska-Starks House

Polish immigrant jeweler Barrett Visanska bought this property in 1913. A leader in Columbia’s Jewish community, Visanska was a founder of the Tree of Life Congregation. Benedict College’s first black president, Dr. John Jacob Starks, lived here from 1938 until his death in 1944. Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital used the former residence as its nurses’ home following World War II. Heavily damaged by fire in 1989, the property, reduced by one story, has been rehabilitated and is privately owned again.

  • Visanska-Starks House

  • Dr. Starks, 1930

  • Barrett Visanska, undated

34.0103523, -81.0182572

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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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