Allen Benedict Court

Front: In 1940, a segregated public housing complex for African Americans opened at this site. Named after nearby Allen University and Benedict College, Allen Benedict Court was the second public housing project in Columbia built under the Housing Act of 1937. It was constructed by the Columbia Housing Authority with funds provided by the United States Housing Authority. The 17-acre site was previously occupied by small wooden houses. Reverse: For years, Allen Benedict Court was an important resource for local African American families who often faced discrimination in the housing and lending markets. Residents lived in 26 brick buildings with 244 units and amenities like athletic courts, a playground, social area, a splash pool, and a public library branch. Local Black press called the complex a “distinct asset” to the surrounding neighborhood upon its opening. Allen Benedict Court was razed in 2021.