Construction of the State House of South Carolina began in 1855 and continued uninterruptedly until February 17, 1865, when Sherman burned Columbia. Work resumed in 1867 and continued irregularly until 1900. Its architect was John R. Niernsee, who was born in Vienna, Austria, on May 27, 1823, died in Columbia on June 7, 1885, and was buried in St. Peter's Churchyard. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1980 for its national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.
