Nickerson’s Hotel Broadside, Columbia, South Carolina

Description

Nickerson’s Hotel Broadside, Columbia, South Carolina

Original Civil War–era broadside advertising Nickerson’s Hotel in Columbia, South Carolina, operated by T.S. Nickerson (formerly of the Mills House). Printed circa early 1860’s, the piece invites patrons to the “Confederate Hotel of the very highest class,” emphasizing its proximity to the State House, fine accommodations, and attached livery stable with carriage and omnibus service to the depots. The notice reflects the period atmosphere of Columbia as a key Confederate hub during the war. Printed in bold type on early rag paper, the sheet measures 6” x 9 ½” and is attractively presented in a period-style frame backed on linen for preservation and display. The text is crisp and legible, showing expected light toning and minor foxing consistent with age. A scarce Southern hotel advertisement that captures the social and commercial tone of wartime Columbia, S.C., where Union General William T. Sherman’s forces would later march in 1865.

History

Nickerson’s Hotel, Columbia, S.C. Nickerson’s Hotel stood in the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, within sight of the State House and near the center of business and political life. Operated by Thomas S. Nickerson, formerly proprietor of the well-known Mills House in Charleston, the hotel quickly established itself as one of the premier establishments in the city during the Civil War. Advertised as a “Confederate Hotel of the very highest class,” it offered carriages, omnibuses, a livery stable, and the comforts expected by travelers, businessmen, and military officers in wartime Columbia. During the conflict, Columbia served as a major Confederate supply and administrative center. Hotels like Nickerson’s not only hosted prominent visitors but also acted as informal gathering places for officers, politicians, and businessmen. Period accounts suggest Nickerson’s was frequented by Confederate officers and Southern elite passing through the capital. In February 1865, as General William T. Sherman’s Union forces advanced through South Carolina, Columbia was heavily damaged by fire. Contemporary reports note that Nickerson’s Hotel was among the principal structures destroyed in the city’s burning, making this broadside one of the few surviving printed relics of the establishment. Today, the Nickerson’s Hotel broadside provides a rare glimpse into Southern urban life and commerce at the height of the Civil War. It embodies both the prosperity and the fragility of the Confederacy’s capital cities, capturing the tone of refinement, hospitality, and social prominence that stood in stark contrast to the destruction that would soon follow. Wonderful historic document with aesthetic value context.

Inventory Number: CON 623