Central National Bank, Hampton & Main Streets, Columbia

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,40-COLUM,8-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

nineteenth-century Columbia commercial building, which was probably designed by the nationally prominent architect, Samuel Sloan. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: w 1. Original and subsequent owners: Central National Bank, (bank merged with Loan and Exchange Bank c. Sylvan Bros. c. 2. Date of erection: c. 3. Architect: Probably Samuel Sloan (see report by Walter F. Petty under "Historical Events" below). 4. Notes on original plan and construction of building: This structure originally was built as a bank with stores on remainder of the ground floor and offices on the upper floors. B. Historical Events Connected with the Structure: 1. The following was extracted from a report by Walter F.

Petty, AIA Preservation Officer, Columbia, South Carolina, prepared in The building was constructed as a bank building (Central National Bank, corner of Richardson and Plain Streets; JohnS. Preston, President; Organised according to the Columbia City Directory of The bank merged with the Loan and Exchange Bank around the turn of CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK (NOW SILVAN BUILDING) HABS No. (Page 2) -the century. The building was purchased by the Sylvan Brothers (both now dead) around The sons still operate a fine jewelry store here* A nephew, now a prominent Columbia jeweler, oame over from Sweden to work for Sylvan in He informs me that his Uncle Gus told him that the banking room floor was at the basement level and entrance was by a monumental stair down.

The floor at street level was added by Sylvan. Mr, John J. Sefbels, who died last month at the age of 91, recalled that the building was built in Mr. Seibels also (and without suggestion) recalled that the architect was named "Sloan." He could not recall if the first name was Samuel. Since Samuel Sloan was known to be doing work at the State Hospital as early as (by Hospital records) and as late as this building could very well be his work. The building is recognisable on a bird's-eye view of the city made in (drawing in South Caroliniana Library). 2. The following is extracted from a letter dated February 8, from Harold N.

Cooledge, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Clemson Gollege, Clemson, South Carolina: On the basis of dates (Sloan was working on the "Centre" Building of the Insane Hospital from until and casual references to "other works" in Columbia, made in reports of the Hospital Building Committee (State Papers) the possibility that the building is Sloan's design is pretty good. The probability that it is his is increased when one refers to the late commercial designs of Sloan as published in The Architectural Review (particu- larly Vol. I, pp. 9, 90, and I am going to stick my neck out and claim it for Sloan, not only because of the published commercial designs of the I868-84 period but the residential ones as well (see The Architectural Review, Vol. I, pp. 240 and C.

Sources of Information: See the extracted reports of Walter F. Petty and Harold N. Cooledge, above. Prepared by Walter F. Petty, AIA Preservation Officer, South Carolina Chapter July AND James C Massey, Architect National Park Service April CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK (NOW SYLVAN BUILDING) HABS No. (Page 3) * PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural character: The Central National Bank is a fine example of a "Victorian" commercial building. 2. Condition of fabric: Good. B. Technical Description of Exterior: 1. Over-all dimensions: Two-and-a-half stories on an ele- vated basement. There are five bays on the Hampton Street side of the building and two bays on the Main Street side. The building has a rectangular layout, approximately 20' x 80' in size, 2.

Foundations: White ashlar stone. 3. Wall construction: Red brick with rusticated stone quoins at corners and at intervals, acting as vertical accents; there is also a string course between the first and second stories. 4- Structural system, framing: Brick bearing walls and timber framing. 5. Steps: Simple iron steps to raised first-floor entrance (Hampton Street side). 6. Chimneys: Six, simple, low, brick chimneys. 7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Main building entrance on Hampton Street has double doors set in arched opening with two-light circular-head transom and molded architrave with keystone. b. Windows: First floor one-over-one-light, double- hung wooden sash with stone labels and keystones.

Second floor two-over-two-light, double-hung wooden sash with circular and low arch heads, stone labels, and keystones. $. Roof: a. Shape, covering: fttasard roof, slated in a decorative pattern. CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK (NOW SILVAN BUILDING) HABS NO..SC-255 (Page 4) b. Cornice: Molded and "bracketed cornice, probably in sheet metal. c. Dormers: Circular window heads. Two-over-two-light, double-hung wooden sash. Pediments over windows are both arched and triangular. C. Technical Description of Interiors; 1. Floor plans: Ground floor on the west end is a large, open, two-story store area with balcony; on the east end there are four shops. Second and third floors stair hall in center, three offices on both east and west ends; cor- ridor at north side. 2. Stairways: Wood. 3. Flooring: Wood. 4.

Wall and ceiling finish: Plaster. 5. Doorways and doors; Wood. 6. Decorative features and trim: Wood. 7. Hardware: Conventional. 8. Lighting: Electric. 9. Heating: Steam heat; offices originally heated by stoves. D. Site: \~| 1. Orientation and general setting: On northeast corner of intersection in the downtown Columbia shopping center. 2. Outbuildings: Hone. There is a notable clock (c. on sidewalk adjoining building. 3. Wa Iks: Cement s idewaIks. Prepared by James C. Massey Architect, National Park Service April AND Walter F. Petty, AIA Preservation Officer, South Carolina Chapter July