Sylan Building

Front: The Sylvan Building, built c. 1871, is attributed to prominent Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan. Distinguished by its slate Mansard roof, it is today the lone remaining example of French Second Empire architecture on Columbia’s Main Street. It was originally built to house the Central National Bank, which was chartered in 1871. In its original configuration the banking floor was on the basement level, with entrance via a monumental staircase. Reverse: The Sylvan Brothers, Gustaf and Johannes, emigrated from Sweden and began operating Sylvan Brothers Jewelers in 1897. In 1905 they acquired the former Central National Bank building and moved their business here. In 1908 the Sylvan Brothers added the street clock at the corner of Main and Hampton. Likely produced by the Seth Thomas Co., it was one of a set of five. One other is in Columbia. Others are in Boston, New Orleans, and San Francisco.