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Intersection of Taylor and Williams Streets

Site of South Carolina State Penitentiary

Having established its penal system in 1866, South Carolina opened a penitentiary on the Congaree River’s east bank the following year. During the course of 127 years, this facility, later known as Central Correctional Institution (CCI), grew to accommodate increasing numbers of inmates and changes in reform methods. The prison closed in 1994 and the City of Columbia bought the 25-acre site in 1995. Despite attempts to preserve the prison’s historic buildings, all were demolished to make way for new development. Today, the CanalSide neighborhood belies the once-infamous character of the site.

34.002459, -81.0488409

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 Gift Shop at Robert Mills.
1616 Blanding Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

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