The Forest Hills Neighborhood Association
An historically great place to live!
History
The origins of the Forest Hills Neighborhood date back to 1859
when Wade Hampton III purchased 100 acres outside the City of Columbia
and built a country home on the west side of present day Westminster
Drive. A stone pillar commemorates the home site, then known as
Diamond Hill, on the island at the intersection of Westminster and
Stratford Roads. The home was destroyed by Union troops in 1865.
Benjamin L. Abney purchased the property from the Hampton estate and built the home still standing at 1400 Westminster Drive, renaming the area Abney Park. That home is the oldest in the neighborhood.
Joseph Walker bought the property in 1925 as a site for residential development and established Forest Hills. The New York City suburb of the same name inspired the name. Mr. Walker's sister-in-law named the roads for English counties. As a planned subdivision, prospective home builders were required to submit plans to Forest Hills, Inc. for approval. "The high hills were zoned for two-story houses and those in the lower section were one and one-half story or bungalows." The established boundaries of the neighborhood are Forest Drive, Glenwood Road, Gervais Street, and Manning Avenue.
Today, Forest Hills remains a unique in-town, residential neighborhood of about 285 homes. It is distinguished by its rolling hills with abundant pine and oak trees and well-kept, handsome houses and grounds that make it an oasis amid the urban surroundings. Its proximity to the cultural, business and higher education centers in Columbia make it highly desirable as a place to live. Several families are 2nd and 3rd generation residents, choosing to remain or return to their place of origin. It has been and continues to be home to many of Columbia's most distinguished citizens.
Source: Heath, J. Cantey, Jr. "Smiling Peace May Bring Prosperity: A History of the Forest Hills Neighborhood of Columbia, South Carolina." Institute for Southern Studies, University of South Carolina, 1985.
Benjamin L. Abney purchased the property from the Hampton estate and built the home still standing at 1400 Westminster Drive, renaming the area Abney Park. That home is the oldest in the neighborhood.
Joseph Walker bought the property in 1925 as a site for residential development and established Forest Hills. The New York City suburb of the same name inspired the name. Mr. Walker's sister-in-law named the roads for English counties. As a planned subdivision, prospective home builders were required to submit plans to Forest Hills, Inc. for approval. "The high hills were zoned for two-story houses and those in the lower section were one and one-half story or bungalows." The established boundaries of the neighborhood are Forest Drive, Glenwood Road, Gervais Street, and Manning Avenue.
Today, Forest Hills remains a unique in-town, residential neighborhood of about 285 homes. It is distinguished by its rolling hills with abundant pine and oak trees and well-kept, handsome houses and grounds that make it an oasis amid the urban surroundings. Its proximity to the cultural, business and higher education centers in Columbia make it highly desirable as a place to live. Several families are 2nd and 3rd generation residents, choosing to remain or return to their place of origin. It has been and continues to be home to many of Columbia's most distinguished citizens.
Source: Heath, J. Cantey, Jr. "Smiling Peace May Bring Prosperity: A History of the Forest Hills Neighborhood of Columbia, South Carolina." Institute for Southern Studies, University of South Carolina, 1985.