Old Shandon Centennial

Saturday, October 2, 2004
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Shandon -- just the sound of the name conjures up images of brick bungalows tucked away among serene, shaded streets lined with sidewalks. This picture of one of Columbia's first suburbs is very different from the look and feel of Shandon when it was laid out around 1900.

Then, Shandon was simply surveyed lots, unpaved streets, and a few structures in the area generally bounded by Devine Street, Maple Street, Millwood Avenue, and Santee Street. This area, today known as "Old Shandon," was incorporated in 1904 and annexed into Columbia in 1913. The extension of the city's trolley line spurred early growth, and the area around the trolley stop developed first. Because of its concentration of older homes some built as early as the late 19th century Old Shandon is now both a national historic district and a local historical district.

Early suburban life in Shandon provided extraordinary experiences in every day activities. Instead of using the faucet or bottled water to get a drink, Shandonites would draw deliciously cold water from wells, despite the risk of occasionally drawing up a water moccasin at the same time. Ordinary experiences like getting ice cream have evolved over the years. Initially, it meant a trolley car ride to an ice cream parlor downtown. Then, it was a trip to Gasque's Drug Store on Devine Street, which had a machine in the basement to churn "homemade" Biltmore Ice Cream. Later, it was Zesto's in Five Points. Today, it is a walk to Ben & Jerry's.

On Saturday October 2, 2004, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. the Old Shandon Neighborhood Association is celebrating the centennial of the town of Shandon. The public is invited to attend and travel back to the good old days of early Shandon. The event will provide an enjoyable way to learn about the rich early history of Columbia.

The centennial celebration will feature historic exhibits, concerts, old-fashioned games for children, walking tours and free trolley tours of the area. The neighborhood is also having a "homecoming" for former residents of the area. Former residents and their families interested in coming back to meet old friends and share memories with the new residents should contact Leslie Skinner at 771-7030.