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Columbia, South Carolina: World's Largest Fire Hydrant (Gone)

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Directions:
Downtown. Either I-77 exit onto Forest Drive, which turns into Taylor St.; or I-26 to I-126, which turns into Elmwood Ave., then a quick right on Marion and five blocks south to Taylor. Center of Taylor between Bull and Marion Sts, in the AgFirst Farm Credit Bank parking lot, near Palmetto Medical Center.
Hours:
Removed on February 23, 2023.
Status:
Gone

Big hydrant.

World's Largest Fire Hydrant

Almost 40 feet tall and weighing over 300 tons, this tilted-by-design sculpture did not provide a single drop to fight fires. It was the largest of three contenders for the biggest fireplug title -- until it was taken down on February 23, 2023.

Roadsideamerica.com Report... [12/05/2021]

Visitor Tips and News About World's Largest Fire Hydrant

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Fire hydrant removed.

World's Largest Fire Hydrant

We just went to look at the World's Largest Fire Hydrant and it was in the middle of the road being moved! Where will it go?

[Cathy, 02/23/2023]

World's Largest Fire Hydrant, Feb. 2023.

World's Largest Fire Hydrant

The fire hydrant was removed on February 23, 2023, to be moved to an undetermined location in the future, due to the property being sold and the new owners not wanting it there anymore.

[Gary Hinton, 02/23/2023]

Giant hydrant.

World's Largest Fire Hydrant

Visiting the hydrant on MLK Birthday. Not a lot of people around so nice day for it!

[sseegars, 01/21/2013]

The hydrant -- which is actually a work of public art -- currently stands on property that's been sold. It will, supposedly, be moved somewhere else in the city in 2015. Its official name is "Busted Plug Plaza."

No dogs sign.

World's Largest Fire Hydrant

It was really cool to drive up on this, although I was disappointed that it was surrounded by a safety wall so that we couldn't get up close and personal. The best part of it was the warning sign [a circle with a diagonal line across] of a dog hiking its leg. The hydrant is in the same parking lot as the Tunnelvision Mural, so one stop, two attractions!

[Danielle O., 11/16/2012]

The safety barriers are part of the artwork, not add-ons to keep people away. Its official name is "Busted Plug Plaza." The hydrant is supposed to look tilted and broken, and water seeps out of its base into the crumbled rocks around it.


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