South Carolina Department of Archives and History
National Register Properties in South Carolina

Dukes Gymnasium, Orangeburg County (South Carolina State University Campus, Orangeburg)
S1081773801401 S1081773801402 S1081773801403 S1081773801404 S1081773801405
Facade Main Entrance Right Elevation Right Rear
Oblique
Rear Elevation
S1081773801406        
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.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

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