House of Peace Synagogue
Also known as: Big Apple Club, The Big AppleHampton and Park Sts., Columbia, South Carolina
Map
Coordinates:
+34.00426, -81.0387034°00'15" N, 81°02'19" W
Quadrangle map:Columbia North
Description
The structure located at 1318 Park Street was constructed between 1907 and 1910 as a Jewish Synagogue. Its interior architecture, including a notable recessed dome and a balcony, reflect its original function. However, the structure gained its greatest notoriety when used in the 1930s as a black nightclub. During that time, students from the nearby University of South Carolina came to observe dancers at “The Big Apple Club.” The dance, known as the Big Apple, became extremely popular and in 1937 a group of twenty-three from the Big Apple Club appeared in New York before touring the United States. After the nightclub closed, the building became a place of business and was then left vacant until its recent restoration. It is a two-story wooden edifice set upon a raised brick basement. Its gable roof is covered by tin. The structure features a projecting central entrance bay, flanked by wooden pilasters and sidelights, and surmounted by a large arch. On each side of the entrance are tall narrow windows with horseshoe arches. The side facades feature pedimented gables with a roundel. Listed in the National Register August 28, 1979. - SCDAH
National Register information
- Status
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on August 28, 1979
- Reference number
- 79003354
- Areas of significance
- Architecture; Social History; Performing Arts
- Level of significance
- Local
- Evaluation criteria
- A - Event; C - Design/Construction
- Property type
- Building
- Historic function
- Religious structure
- Current function
- Business
- Periods of significance
- 1900-1924; 1925-1949
- Significant years
- 1907; 1911; 1937
Update Log
- October 15, 2014: Updated by Michael Miller: Added "Alternate Name", "Description" & "Street Views" and Imported Photo
- October 15, 2014: Photo imported by Michael Miller