Took the short ride from Sumter over to Columbia yesterday and spent the better part of our day at the South Carolina State House... which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976. It's a beautiful piece of work.
From the front...
From the side...
One of the MANY reminders about The War of Northern Aggression
Speaking of which... the people of South Carolina remember their war dead. Here are a couple of shots of the Civil War memorial...
A close of up of the monument's legend
The monument itself and that controversial Stars and Bars flag.
The grounds of the State House are park like with well-maintained leafy gardens and huge trees. We saw lots of folks relaxing on well-placed park benches as we walked around. We did a bit of that ourselves.
I mentioned the honoring of the state's war dead... and the monument that impressed me the most was the Mexican War memorial. It's a huge cast iron work, consisting of a palmetto on top of a pedestal and surrounded by four columns with some of the most intricate iron work I've ever seen. The scale...
That's SN1 and Grandson Sean in front.
The plaque.
Detail of the iron work.
There's a recent monument as well, honoring all of South Carolina's sons and daughters who have served...
Flags in the breeze. The USMC and Coast Guard flags are obscured by palmettos.
The inscription.
We had ourselves a Happy Ending at a local watering hole, of course.
Added, a couple o' days later: Just for vanity's sake, a pic SN1 took of me admiring the Mexican War Memorial:
All you wimmen folk should feel free to say something like "nice ass." If'n you're feelin' charitable, of course.
Pretty stuff.
ReplyDeleteHas it occurred to you that today's artisans are a little lacking in the imagination and skill departments? Just compare the Mexican War memorial to today's! Sad, that.
Keep the pics coming!
It looks to have been a great day out. The Mexican War Memorial is amazing - makes you wonder about the designer and builder of the memorial. Seeing the State House makes me want to visit South Carolina.
ReplyDeleteDamn that Sherman!
Some regions seem to appreciate their history better than others. In part, I suppose, because they have history. Up here in WA, to be honest, we don't really have any history to compare with the likes of South Carolina.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a great day Buck.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stuff. Can you believe that I have been to, spent time in, and worked in every single State in the Southeast EXCEPT for South Carolina?
ReplyDeleteTrue...Odd that I never have even driven through there.
Looks like a great day was had by all. And, as BR noted...lots of history to ponder and be memorialized in South Carolina...
Has it occurred to you that today's artisans are a little lacking in the imagination and skill departments? Just compare the Mexican War memorial to today's! Sad, that.
ReplyDeleteI HAVE given that some thought, and I don't know if it's because there's a lack of money... i.e., budget constraints... for the monuments or a lack of skilled artisans to do the work. Just look at the WWII memorial in DeeSee: too much damned concrete and not enough craftsmanship.
Damn that Sherman!
Heh. I didn't post all of the plaques and such that mentioned the damage Sherman's troops did. The War of Northern Aggression has NOT been forgotten down this way.
BR: The Brits say the same sort of thing (a lack of history) about the entire United States, and they DO have a small point. I loved living in London just for the sense of history that smacked you in the face EVERY day. SC is kinda like that, in its own way.
Kris: It was a great day, indeed.
Andy: That IS strange you've never been in SC. But then again, this is my first time, too... other than transiting the state on I-95's predecessor road as a child.
Looks like a hell of a good day out, Buck. I love to see such things, myself, and appreciate the virtual tour.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Jim.
ReplyDelete