The University of South Carolina's Horseshoe, SC

The University of South Carolina’s Horseshoe holds a special place in my memories. As an undergraduate student, I walked through it daily on my way to/from class. As a graduate student and later an alumna residing in the Columbia area, I would often drive to the Horseshoe to simply walk amongst its flowering trees, admiring foliage in the fall and azaleas in the Spring.

The University of South Carolina was established in 1801 as the South Carolina College. Rutledge, completed in 1805 was the first and only building on campus. Eventually 12 original buildings were constructed on the historic Horseshoe, a U-shaped magnetic center of campus life today as it was over 200 years ago. The college closed in 1861 due to the Civil War, reopening in 1866. It was recharted as a university in 1906. The horseshoe was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1966. It’s a picturesque garden adorned with old trees, old buildings, and azalea-lined brick walkways. It comes alive with students who walk through, congregate, have picnics, throw frisbees, read a book, or simply hangout in the sun on its expansive green space. I love to wander about with my camera and attempt to capture its evolving, romantic beauty.

References University of South Carolina History Timeline, Historic Horseshoe, Architecture and Green spaces, Monuments