Whaley, W. B. Smith, House

National Register Listing

Street Address:

1527 Gervais St., Columbia, SC (Richland County)

Alternate Name:

Dunbar Funeral Home

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NRHP Nomination

Record Number:

S10817740038

Description and Narrative:

(Dunbar Funeral Home) The Dunbar Funeral Home is significant for its Queen Anne architecture and its association with W.B. Smith Whaley, an important figure in Columbia’s development. It was designed and constructed in 1892-1893 by W.B. Smith Whaley as his private residence. Whaley, in conjunction with architect Gadsden E. Shand, specialized in the design, engineering and building of cotton mills as well as in the construction of residences. His firm was responsible for the design and construction of Olympia, Granby and Richland cotton mills. Whaley was also president of the Columbia Electric Street Railway and Mill Stable Company. The house was used as a residence until 1924 when it became Dunbar Funeral Home. The house is a unique example of high Queen Anne style architecture in Columbia. Its stylistic form and detail with its corner turret, irregular plan and variety of wall texture (shingles and horizontal boards) distinguish it as the only structure of this type in Columbia. The house also features a large front gable with a tripartite window and a long curving front porch which has been enclosed. Other alterations to the property consist of the addition of a porte cochere and a brick outbuilding. The interior remains largely unaltered and features original mantels and hardware. Listed in the National Register March 2, 1979.

Period of Significance:

1892 – 1893

Level of Significance:

State

Area of Significance:

Engineering

National Register Determination:

listed

Date of Certification:

March 2 1979

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