Roadside Buzz – George Washington’s Broken Statute ~ Columbia, SC

The State House in Columbia, South Carolina, is a must see stop for visitor’s to the Palmetto State. Complete with gorgeously maintained pathways and monuments commemorating the the state’s rich history, the grounds also include remnants of the U.S. Civil War.

In addition to metal stars located on the outside walls of the state house that memorialize damage caused by Federal troops during the capture of Columbia in 1865, there stands is a broken (some say vandalized) bronze statute of President George Washington.

According to local lore, the invading federal troops deliberately broke Washington’s walking cane and took it away as a war trophy. To this day the statue has never been repaired because locals have chosen to maintain the damage as a way of remembering those historic events. A small plaque on the base of the statue explains its significance.

Columbia State House: 1100 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201