Columbia History

Columbia, the capital of South Carolina and the seat of Richland County, was built along the Piedmont fall line, where the Saluda and Broad Rivers come together in a rush of rapids to form the gentle Congaree River. It was this abundance of water power, along with the site's central location, that led to its selection for the state capital in 1786. Named for Christopher Columbus, Columbia was the second planned city in the U.S., meticulously laid out before construction even began. Parcels of land were sold to new residents and investors, with a stipulation that a house be constructed within three years. Because of the prevalence of mosquitoes in the surrounding marshlands, malaria was a major concern. The streets of Columbia were designed at 100 to 150 feet wide, in the hopes that the mosquitoes would starve to death before flying across them.

Chartered as a town in 1805, Columbia continued to grow. The cotton trade proved quite lucrative, bringing in the railroads and attracting more people to the area. In 1860, just six years after Columbia received its city charter, the Secession Convention gathered at the First Baptist Church. There, delegates voted 159-0 in favor of seceding from the Union. In 1865, during the Civil War, much of Columbia was devastated by fire. To this day, the cause of the destruction is still a matter of debate. Some blame high winds and the burning of cotton bales by the Confederates, while others claim General Sherman and his Union troops were seeking revenge on the secessionists.

Some might say that Columbia has continued to rise from the ashes. The city has made every effort to preserve its culture and heritage. Sites of historical significance, such as the First Baptist Church and the boyhood home of Woodrow Wilson have been restored and are open to the public. The University of South Carolina (USC) has been a point of pride in Columbia since it opened its doors as South Carolina College in 1805. The original campus, known as the Horseshoe, has survived fires, earthquakes, and the Civil War. However, Columbia has also made a point of looking forward, and has undertaken several projects to revitalize the downtown area. The Colonial Center (a multi-purpose arena) and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center were opened recently, and the waterfront warehouses of the Congaree Vista district have been converted into shops, restaurants, and bars.

Columbia has recently adopted the name "Columbia Riverbanks Region" to emphasize the abundance of natural beauty in the area. Visitors can walk along the boardwalks and paved trails of the Three Rivers Greenway and catch sight of herons, egrets, and grazing deer. Finlay Park features secluded walkways winding through tranquil lakes and ponds, set against the backdrop of cascading waterfalls. The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, one of the finest of its kind, features natural habitat exhibits and acres of formal gardens.