Sometimes, we stumble upon the most obscure spots and discover notable figures of history. On the fringe of a University of South Carolina hangout village in Columbia, South Carolina, is a neighborhood called Five Points. There, tucked on a narrow, inconspicuous lot where a few streets meet is a striking memorial. Someone walking by might notice it, but drivers most likely pass it daily without a glance.
Despite the lack of attention, this large, fabricated metal “cell” with a bronze, life-size statue of a man exiting the cell is significant. A raised-letter bronze sign tells the story of Jack Linwood Van Loan (1931–2019).
