Packed with historic monuments and buildings, Arsenal Hill is a neighborhood in the core of Columbia and was one of the first communities to be established in the city. Its name refers to a military academy established here before the American Civil War. Walk around the old streets and admire the façades of buildings to get a sense of the history here.

As you pass through the center of Columbia, snap photos of the historic old-world setting. The front of Matthew J. Perry, Jr. U.S. Courthouse has thick columns and an imposing pediment. Stroll past 1717 Wayne Street, the Richard Samuel Roberts House, in which its namesake Black photographer and entrepreneur lived until his death in 1936.

Stop to admire the Governor’s Mansion, which is among Columbia’s architectural highlights. It was built in 1855 as part of the Arsenal Military Academy and is the last of the complex’s remaining buildings. Study its white colonial front, with dark shutters and a majestic colonnade bordered by palm trees. Stroll through the landscape gardens and take a tour of some of the rooms that remain open to the public.

The mansion is near Finlay Park, a large leafy set of grounds known for its festivals and family activities. Eat in the fresh air at one of the picnic tables or have a tasty meal at a nearby restaurant, before letting your kids enjoy the playground. In the southeastern corner of the park, you’ll find the Basilica of Saint Peter, dating back to 1824.

The Arsenal Hill neighborhood lies right in the center of Columbia, in the heart of South Carolina. It is just east of the Congaree River and north of the University of South Carolina. While you’re in this area, explore some of the nearby districts, such as Five Points, West Columbia and Elmwood Park. Arsenal Hill offers a fascinating window into the distant past in Columbia.