Five Points (Columbia, South Carolina) facts for kids
Five Points in Columbia, South Carolina, is a lively area known for its shops, restaurants, and fun activities. It's a popular spot for students from the nearby University of South Carolina and people from all over the Columbia area. This neighborhood is also the main place for Columbia's yearly St. Patrick’s Day Festival.
A Look Back at Five Points' History
Five Points was Columbia's very first neighborhood shopping district. It got its name because it's where three streets meet: Harden Street, Devine Street, and Santee Avenue. This creates a unique "five points" intersection.
Firsts in the Neighborhood
Five Points was home to many "firsts" for Columbia:
- It had the city's first supermarket, which was an A&P store.
- The first Chinese restaurant in Columbia, called Kester’s Bamboo House, opened here.
- A place called The Stage Door was known for being the first bar in South Carolina to serve a special mixed drink. This happened after new state rules were made in 1973.
Five Points as a Transportation Hub
Long ago, when streetcars were common, Five Points was a very important spot for travel. It acted like a central station or "hub." People could easily move from downtown Columbia to the residential area of Shandon using the streetcars that passed through Five Points.
