South Carolina Department of Archives and History |
National Register Properties in South Carolina Dukes Gymnasium, Orangeburg County (South Carolina State University Campus, Orangeburg) |
Facade | Main Entrance | Right Elevation | Right Rear Oblique |
Rear Elevation |
Left Rear Oblique |
Dukes Gymnasium, constructed 1931, is significant for its association with a pioneer African American South Carolina architect, Miller F. Whittaker, and a South Carolina State College mechanical arts student, John H. Blanche. The building was designed by Blanche as a graduation thesis in the department of mechanical arts under the supervision of Whittaker. Thomas J. Entzminger, an African American carpenter from Columbia, was the chief building supervisor. Instructors in mechanical arts courses at the college installed the steel framing, plumbing and electrical systems and supervised other parts of the construction. The building itself, the tangible evidence of these efforts, is well proportioned and solidly built. It is a two-story brick building with a full basement and a gable on hip roof. The brickwork is common bond; the roofing is red tile. The façade features a five-bay brick arcade. A concrete water table runs between the basement and first story. Funding for the building was provided by student recreation fees. Listed in the National Register September 20, 1985.
View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property. In addition, the Historic Resources of Orangeburg, ca. 1850-ca. 1935 includes historical background information for this and other related National Register properties.
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