Alston House

Front inscription

This Greek Revival cottage, built ca. 1872, was the residence and business of Caroline Alston, a black businesswoman who lived and ran a dry goods store here as early as 1873. She purchased the house in 1888, becoming one of the few black business owners in Columbia during the period. Alston, known for the “esteem and confidence” of her black and white customers, sold the house in 1906. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.