City of Columbia
Skyline of Columbia
Flag
Nickname: "The Capital of Southern Hospitality" (Official), "The Big Friendly"
Location in Richland County in the state of South Carolina
Coordinates: 34°00′2″N 81°02′39″W / 34.00056, -81.04417
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Counties	Richland County and Lexington County
Government
- Mayor	Bob Coble, (D)
Area
- City	133.8 sq mi (346.5 km²)
- Land	131.3 sq mi (340.1 km²)
- Water	2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Elevation	292 ft (89 m)
Population (2007)
- City	122,819
- Density	928.5/sq mi (358.5/km²)
- Metro	716,030
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s)	803
FIPS code	45-16000[1]
GNIS feature ID	1245051[2]
Website: http://www.columbiasc.net/

Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 116,278 according to the 2000 census (2007 population estimates put the city at 122,819). Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a small portion of the city extends into Lexington County. The city is the center of a steadily growing metro area of 716,030. The city's name comes from a poetic synonym for America, derived from the name of Christopher Columbus. Note: The similar sounding country uses a different spelling--see Colombia. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Flag of Columbia, South Carolina File links The following pages link to this file: Columbia, South Carolina Categories: Flag images ... // A nickname is a name of an entity or thing that is not its proper name. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 547 pixelsFull resolution (1170 × 800 pixel, file size: 88 KB, MIME type: image/png) Made Using US Census Bureau Data. ... Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. ... Official language(s) English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32° 2′ N to 35° 13′ N  - Longitude 78° 32′ W to 83... This list of countries, arranged alphabetically, gives an overview of countries of the world. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      The political units and divisions of the United States include: The 50 states... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Carolina. ... Official language(s) English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32° 2′ N to 35° 13′ N  - Longitude 78° 32′ W to 83... This is a list of the counties of South Carolina. ... Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. ... Lexington County is a county located in the state of South Carolina. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... Bob Coble (born 1953) is the current mayor of Columbia, South Carolina. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic... This article is about the physical quantity. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... The Eastern Standard Time Zone is a geographic region that keeps time by subtracting five hours from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). ... -12 | -11 | -10 | -9:30 | -9 | -8 | -7 | -6 | -5 | -4 | -3:30 | -3 | -2:30 | -2 | -1 | -0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... Eastern Daylight Time or EDT is equal to: In North America, Eastern Standard Time + 1, or UTC − 4 hours. ... −12 | −11 | −10 | −9:30 | −9 | −8 | −7 | −6 | −5 | −4 | −3:30 | −3 | −2:30 | −2 | −1 | −0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating telephone number ranges to countries, regions, areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks such as mobile phone networks. ... Area code 803 covers metropolitan Columbia, South Carolina and the sandhills area of South Carolina. ... Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the U.S. Federal government for use by all (non-military) government agencies and by government contractors. ... GNIS (The Geographic Names Information System) contains name and locative information about almost two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its Territories. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... Official language(s) English Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32° 2′ N to 35° 13′ N  - Longitude 78° 32′ W to 83... 2000 US Census logo The Twenty-Second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. ... Lexington County is a county located in the state of South Carolina. ... World map showing the Americas CIA political map of the Americas in an equal-area projection The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator, colonizer, and explorer and one of the first Europeans to explore the Americas after the Vikings. ...

Located just 13 miles (21 km) northwest of South Carolina's geographic center, Columbia is the primary city of the Midlands region of South Carolina, which comprises several counties in the central portion of the state. As such it is centrally located to the rest of the state. Founded in 1786 as the site of South Carolina's new capital city, it was one of the first planned cities in the United States. The area is often cited for its high quality of life offerings, with its many cultural amenities, parks, and recreational features. At the confluence of two major rivers, Columbia is one of the best destinations in the country for kayak and canoe enthusiasts. It is also known for its large number of independent theater groups. Columbia was recently one of 30 communities named "America's Most Livable Communities." The award was given by the Washington-based non-profit Partners for Livable Communities and honors communities that are developing themselves in the creative economy. Columbia has also been named a top midsized market for relocating families in the nation.^[3] Increasingly, Columbia is becoming recognized as an ideal city for retirees. Where to Retire magazine listed Columbia as one of its 25 best choices for retirement as a "budget town" in its January/February 2007 edition ^[4] . A RetireHomeSmart.com^[5] survey of retirement cities lists Columbia as America's second best retirement city.^[6] The Midlands roughly refers to an area in the middle of South_Carolina, including but not limited to: Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter counties. ... This is a list of planned cities (sometimes known as planned communities or new towns) by country. ... Look up kayak in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the boat. ... Quality of life is the degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people. ... ...

History

Early history

From the Creation of Columbia by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1786, the site of Columbia was important to the overall development of the state. The Congarees, a frontier fort on the west bank of the Congaree River, was the head of navigation in the Santee River system. A ferry was established by the colonial government in 1754 to connect the fort with the growing settlements on the higher ground on the east bank. The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the legislative branch of South Carolina and consists of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. ... Congaree River at the fall line, Columbia, South Carolina The Congaree River is a short but wide river in South Carolina in the United States. ... The Santee River is a river in South Carolina in the United States, approximately 143 mi (230 km long). ...

Like many other significant early settlements in colonial America, Columbia is on the fall line from the Appalachian Mountains. The fall line is the spot where rivers usually become unnavigable when sailing upstream, and is also the spot farthest downstream where falling water can usefully power a mill. The fall line has meanings in both geographical features and the sport of alpine skiing. ... The Appalachian Mountains are a vast system of mountains in eastern North America. ...

State Senator John Lewis Gervais of Ninety Six introduced a bill that was approved by the legislature on March 22, 1786 to create a new state capital. There was considerable argument over the name for the new city. According to published accounts, Senator Gervais said he hoped that "in this town we should find refuge under the wings of COLUMBIA," for that was the name which he wished it to be called. One legislator insisted on the name Washington, but Columbia won out by a vote of 11-7 in the state senate. John Lewis Gervais (1741-1798) was an American planter and statesman from South Carolina. ... is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

The site was chosen as the new state capital in 1786, due to its central location in the state. The State Legislature first met there in 1790. After remaining under the direct government of the legislature for the first two decades of its existence, Columbia was incorporated as a village in 1805 and then as a city in 1854.

Columbia Canal Spillway at Riverfront Park

Columbia received a large stimulus to development when it was connected in a direct water route to Charleston, by the Santee Canal. This canal connected the Santee and Cooper Rivers in a 22-mile (35 km) section. It was first chartered in 1786 and completed in 1800, making it one of the earliest canals in the United States. With increased railroad traffic, it ceased operation around 1850. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Nickname: Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat (She cares for her temples, customs, and rights) Location of Charleston in South Carolina. ... The Santee Canal was one of the earliest canals built in the United States, being built to provide a direct water route between Charleston and Columbia, the new state capital by linking the Cooper River near Charleston, with the Santee River, which receives the Congaree River, where Columbia was established...

The commissioners designed a town of 400 blocks in a two-mile (3 km) square along the river. The blocks were divided into half-acre lots and sold to speculators and prospective residents. Buyers had to build a house at least 30 feet (9.1 m) long and 18 feet (5.5 m) wide within three years or face an annual 5% penalty. The perimeter streets and two through streets were 150 feet (46 m) wide. The remaining squares were divided by thoroughfares 100 feet (30 m) wide. The width was determined by the belief that dangerous and pesky mosquitoes could not fly more than 60 feet (18 m) without dying of starvation along the way. Columbians still enjoy most of the magnificent network of wide streets. For other uses, see Mosquito (disambiguation). ...

The commissioners comprised the local government until 1797 when a Commission of Streets and Markets was created by the General Assembly. Three main issues occupied most of their time: public drunkenness, gambling, and poor sanitation.

As one of the first planned cities in the United States, Columbia began to grow rapidly. Its population was nearing 1,000 shortly after the turn of the century.

Nineteenth century

Ruins, as seen from the State House, 1865

Main article: Columbia, South Carolina, in the Civil War

In 1801, South Carolina College (now known as the University of South Carolina) was founded in Columbia. The city was chosen as the site of the institution in part to unite the state's citizens in the upcountry and the lowcountry. Also, the leaders of South Carolina wished to personally monitor the progress and development of the school. For many years after its founding, commencement exercises were held in December while the state legislature was in session. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1534x1000, 383 KB)Ruins seen from the capitol, Columbia, South Carolina, 1865. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1534x1000, 383 KB)Ruins seen from the capitol, Columbia, South Carolina, 1865. ... Ruins, as seen from the State House, 1865 The Southern United States city of Columbia, South Carolina, was an important political and supply center for the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ... The University of South Carolina (also referred to as USC, SC, or Carolina) is a public, co-educational, research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. ...

Columbia received its first charter as a town in 1805. An intendant and six wardens would govern the town. John Taylor was the first elected intendant. He later served in both houses of the General Assembly, both houses of Congress and eventually as governor of the state. By 1816, there were 250 homes in the town and a population over 1,000.

Columbia became chartered as a city in 1854, with an elected mayor and six aldermen. Two years later, they had a police force consisting of a full-time chief and nine patrolmen. The city continued to grow at a rapid pace, as throughout the 1850s and 1860s Columbia was the largest inland city in the Carolinas. Railroad transportation served as a significant cause of population expansion in Columbia during this time. Rail lines that reached the city in the 1840s were first and foremost interested in transporting cotton bales, not passengers. Cotton was the lifeblood of the Columbia community, as in 1850, directly or indirectly, virtually all of the city's commercial and economic activity was related to cotton. The Carolinas is a term used in the United States to refer collectively to the states of North and South Carolina. ... Mareep , Merriep in original Japanese language versions) are one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar[1] Pokémon media franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. ...

Columbia's First Baptist Church hosted the South Carolina Secession Convention on December 17, 1860. The delegates drafted a resolution in favor of secession without dissent, 159-0. Columbia's location made it an ideal location for other conventions and meetings within the Confederacy. During the Civil War, bankers, railroad executives, teachers, and theologians from several states met in the city from time to time to discuss certain matters. December 17 is the 351st day of the year (352nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: With God As Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Danville, Virginia April 3–April 10, 1865 Largest city New Orleans February 4, 1861–May 1... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total...

On February 17, 1865, during the Civil War, much of Columbia was destroyed by fire while being occupied by Union troops under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Legend has it, Columbia's First Baptist Church missed by a hair from being torched by Sherman's troops. As the story goes, the soldiers marched up to the church and asked the grounds keeper if he could direct them to the location of the church where the declaration of secession was signed. The loyal grounds keeper directed the men to another church, a Methodist church, located nearby; thus, the historic landmark avoided being destroyed by Union soldiers. is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1865 (MDCCLXV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... General Sherman redirects here. ...

Controversy surrounding the burning of the city started soon after the war ended. General Sherman blamed the high winds and retreating Confederate soldiers for firing bales of cotton, which had been stacked in the streets. General Sherman denied ordering the burning, though he did order militarily significant structures, such as the Confederate Printing Plant, destroyed. Firsthand accounts by local residents, Union soldiers, and a newspaper reporter offer a tale of revenge by Union troops for Columbia's and South Carolina's pivotal role in leading Southern states to secede from the Union, whereas other accounts (as documented in, for example, James W. Loewen's Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong) portray it as mostly the fault of the Confederacy. Today, tourists can follow the path General Sherman's army took to enter the city and see structures or remnants of structures that survived the fire. Animated map of secession, Civil War and re-admission:  States of the Union  Territories of the Union (including occupied territory)  States of the Confederacy  Territories claimed by Confederacy During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the twenty-three states of the United States... James (Jim) W. Loewen PhD is an author, historian, and professor. ...

During Reconstruction, Columbia became the focus of considerable attention. Reporters, journalists, travelers, and tourists flocked to South Carolina's capital city to witness a Southern state legislature whose members included ex-slaves. The city also made somewhat of a rebound following the devastating fire of 1865; a mild construction boom took place within the first few years of Reconstruction, and repair of railroad tracks in outlying areas created jobs for area citizens.

Historic photo from the steps of the SC Statehouse, early 20th century

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x250, 47 KB) Summary Author: unknown Source URL: http://webzoom. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x250, 47 KB) Summary Author: unknown Source URL: http://webzoom. ...

Twentieth century

The first few years of the 20th century saw Columbia emerge as a regional textile manufacturing center. In 1907, Columbia had six mills in operation: Richland, Granby, Olympia Mills, Capital City, Columbia, and Palmetto. Combined, they employed over 3,400 workers with an annual payroll of $819,000, giving the Midlands an economic boost of over $4.8 million.

Columbia had no paved streets until 1908, when 17 blocks of Main Street were surfaced. There were, however, 115 publicly maintained street crossings at intersections to keep pedestrians from having to wade through a sea of mud between wooden sidewalks. As an experiment, Washington Street was once paved with wooden blocks. This proved to be the source of much local amusement when they buckled and floated away during heavy rains. The blocks were replaced with asphalt paving in 1925.

The years 1911-1912 were something of a construction boom for Columbia, with $2.5 million worth of construction occurring in the city. These projects included the Union Bank Building at Main and Gervais, the Palmetto National Bank, a shopping arcade, and large hotels at Main and Laurel (the Jefferson) and at Main and Wheat (the Gresham).

In 1917, the city was selected as the site of Camp Jackson, a U.S. military installation which was officially classified as a "Field Artillery Replacement Depot." The first recruits arrived at the camp on September 1, 1917. is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ...

In 1930, Columbia was the hub of a trading area with approximately 500,000 potential customers. It had 803 retail establishments, 280 of them being food stores. There were also 58 clothing and apparel outlets, 57 restaurants and lunch rooms, 55 filling stations, 38 pharmacies, 20 furniture stores, 19 auto dealers, 11 shoe stores, nine cigar stands, five department stores, and one book store. Wholesale distributors located within the city numbered 119, with one-third of them dealing in food.

In 1934, the federal courthouse at the corner of Main and Laurel streets was purchased by the city for use as City Hall. Built of granite from nearby Winnsboro, Columbia City Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Alfred Bult Millet, President Ulysses S. Grant's Federal architect, the building was completed in 1876. Millet, best known for his design of the Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., had originally designed the building with a clock tower. Large cost overruns probably caused it to be left out. Copies of Mullet's original drawings can be seen on the walls of City Hall alongside historic photos of Columbia's beginnings. Winnsboro is a town located in Fairfield County, South Carolina. ... A typical plaque showing entry on the National Register of Historic Places. ... Ulysses S. Grant,[2] born Hiram Ulysses Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885), was an American general and the eighteenth President of the United States (1869–1877). ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ...

Reactivated Camp Jackson became Fort Jackson in 1940, giving the military installation the permanence desired by city leaders at the time. The fort was annexed into the city in the fall of 1968, with approval from the Pentagon. Fort Jackson is a United States Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) base located in South Carolina. ... This article is about the United States military building. ...

In the early 1940s, shortly after the attacks on Pearl Harbor which began America's involvement in World War II, Lt. Colonel Jimmy Doolittle and his group of now-famous pilots began training for the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo at what is now Columbia Metropolitan Airport.[3] They trained in B-25 Mitchell bombers, the same model as the plane that now rests at Columbia's Owens Field in the Curtiss-Wright hangar.^[7] Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... General James Harold Jimmy Doolittle, Sc. ... Combatants  United States  Japan Commanders James H. Doolittle Hideki Tojo Strength 16 B-25 Mitchells Unknown number of troops and homeland defense Casualties 3 dead, 8 POWs (4 died in captivity); 5 interned in USSR all 16 B-25s About 50 dead, 400 injured Lt. ... Columbia Metropolitan Airport (IATA: CAE, ICAO: KCAE) is the main airport for Columbia, South Carolina, located in the suburb of West Columbia. ... The North American B-25 Mitchell (NA-62) was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. ... The Curtiss-Wright Corporation was once a leading aircraft manufacturer of the United States, but has since become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, controls, valves, and metal treatment. ...

The 1940s saw the beginning of efforts to reverse Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination in Columbia. In 1945, a federal judge ruled that the city's black teachers were entitled to equal pay to that of their white counterparts. However, in years following, the state attempted to strip many blacks of their teaching credentials. Other issues in which the blacks of the city sought equality concerned voting rights and segregation (particularly regarding public schools). On August 21, 1962, eight downtown chain stores served blacks at their lunch counters for the first time. The University of South Carolina admitted its first black students in 1963; around the same time, many vestiges of segregation began to disappear from the city, blacks attained membership on various municipal boards and commissions, and a non-discriminatory hiring policy was adopted by the city. These and other such signs of racial progression helped earn the city the 1964 All-America City Award for the second time (the first being in 1951) and a 1965 article in Newsweek magazine lauded Columbia as a city that had "liberated itself from the plague of doctrinal apartheid." Manifestations Slavery Racial profiling Lynching Hate speech Hate crime Genocide (examples) Ethnocide Ethnic cleansing Pogrom Race war Religious persecution Gay bashing Blood libel Paternalism Police brutality Movements Policies Discriminatory Race / Religion / Sex segregation Apartheid Redlining Internment Anti-discriminatory Emancipation Civil rights Desegregation Integration Equal opportunity Counter-discriminatory Affirmative action Racial... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The University of South Carolina (also referred to as USC, SC, or Carolina) is a public, co-educational, research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. ... All-America City Program Logo The All-America City Award is given by the National Civic League annually to ten cities in the United States. ... The Newsweek logo Newsweek is a weekly news magazine published in New York City and distributed throughout the United States and internationally. ...

The area's population continued to grow during the 1950s, having experienced a 40% increase from 186,844 to 260,828, with 97,433 people residing within the city limits of Columbia.

Historic preservation has played a significant part into shaping Columbia into the city that it is today. The historic Robert Mills House was restored in 1967, which inspired the renovation and restoration of other historic structures such as the Hampton-Preston House and homes associated with President Woodrow Wilson, Maxcy Gregg, Mary Boykin Chestnut, and noted free black Celia Mann. In the early 1970s, the University of South Carolina initiated the refurbishment of its "Horseshoe." Several area museums also benefited from the increased historical interest of that time, among them the Fort Jackson Museum, the McKissick Museum on the campus of the University of South Carolina, and most notably the South Carolina State Museum, which opened in 1988. Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856—February 3, 1924), was the twenty-eighth President of the United States. ... Brigadier General Maxcy Gregg Maxcy Gregg (August 1, 1814 - December 15, 1862) was a lawyer, and Confederate Brigadier General during the American Civil War. ... South Carolina State Museum Columbia, South Carolina The South Carolina State Museum, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is the largest museum in the Southeastern United States. ...

Mayor Kirkman Finlay, Jr. was the driving force behind the refurbishment of Seaboard Park, now known as Finlay Park, in the historic Congaree Vista district, as well as the compilation of the $60 million Palmetto Center package, which gave Columbia a distinctive office tower, parking garage, and the Columbia Marriott which opened in 1983. The skyline of Columbia, South Carolina, as seen from Finlay Park. ...

The year 1980 saw the Columbia metropolitan population reach 410,088 and in 1990 this figure had hit approximately 470,000. The city continues to focus on improving the great quality of life of its citizens and further diversifying the local economy, which will continue to bring growth and vitality for many years to come.

Recent history

The 1990s and early 2000s also saw revitalization in the downtown area. The Congaree Vista district along Gervais Street, once known as a warehouse district, became a thriving district of art galleries, shops, and restaurants. The Colonial Center (formerly known as the Carolina Center) opened in 2002, and brought several big-named concerts and shows to Columbia. The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center opened in 2004, and a new convention center hotel opened in September 2007. Several residential developments are also in the works for the Vista. The Colonial Center is a multi-purpose arena in Columbia, South Carolina, primarily home to the University of South Carolina mens and womens basketball teams. ...

Some have suggested the redevelopment efforts by the city have not been universally well received and have not brought the numbers of people back downtown as expected; however, in recent years, thanks to aggressive renovation and construction efforts by the private sector, increasing numbers are moving downtown. Several notable historic downtown Columbia buildings have been converted into apartments and condos, while other downtown offerings are housed in entirely new buildings.

Geography and Climate

Skyline as seen from the junction of Interstates 77 and 26

Columbia is located at 34°1'1" North, 81°0'38" West (34.017105, -81.010759) 1. Autumn, winter and spring are mild, with occasional winter nights below freezing but rarely extended cold. The city is at its most beautiful in the spring when masses of azaleas and other spring flowers bloom. Columbia's summers can be very hot, being primarily recognized for their extreme humidity. The city, like other cities of the southeast, is prone to Inversions, which trap ozone and other pollutants over the area. One of Columbia's most interesting geographical features is its fall line, which is a boundary between an upland region and a coastal plain across which rivers from the upland region drop to the plain as falls or rapids. Columbia grew up at the fall line of the Congaree River, which is formed by the convergence of the Broad River and the Saluda River. The Congaree was the farthest inland point of river navigation. The energy of falling water also powered Columbia's early mills. The city has capitalized on this scenic location which includes three rivers by recently christening itself "The Columbia Riverbanks Region." Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1152x864, 168 KB) Author: Matt Tischler; used with permission Source URL: http://webzoom. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1152x864, 168 KB) Author: Matt Tischler; used with permission Source URL: http://webzoom. ... For other uses, see Skyline (disambiguation). ... A typical rural stretch of Interstate highway, with two lanes in each direction separated by a large grassy median, and with cross-traffic limited to overpasses and underpasses. ... Azaleas are flowering shrubs making up part of the genus Rhododendron. ... Smoke rising in Lochcarron is stopped by an overlying layer of warmer air. ... The fall line has meanings in both geographical features and the sport of alpine skiing. ... Congaree River at the fall line, Columbia, South Carolina The Congaree River is a short but wide river in South Carolina in the United States. ... The Broad River is a tidal channel, in Beaufort and Jasper County, South Carolina. ... // The Saluda River is a principal tributary of the Congaree River, about 200 mi (320 km) long, in northern and western South Carolina in the United States. ... Lancashire cotton mill, 1914 A cotton mill is a factory housing spinning and weaving machinery. ...

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 127.7 square miles (330.8 km²), of which, 125.2 square miles (324.3 km²) of it is land and 2.5 square miles (6.4 km²) of it is water. The total area is 1.95% water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ...

Metropolitan area

Main article: Columbia, South Carolina metropolitan area

The metropolitan statistical area of Columbia has a population estimate of 716,030, according to the 2007 estimates performed by the U.S. Census Bureau. In the United States, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has produced a formal definition of metropolitan areas, which are organized around county boundaries. ... The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ...

In Census 2000, the population for the then two-county metropolitan area (Richland and Lexington) was 536,691, of which about 78% was within the Columbia urbanized area proper (2000 pop.: 420,537). In June 2003, the United States Census Bureau added four more counties — Fairfield, Calhoun, Kershaw, and Saluda — to Columbia's standard metropolitan statistical area, giving its total population a significant boost. It now ranks as the largest in South Carolina.

Further, the Columbia metropolitan area with the Newberry micropolitan area forms the Columbia–Newberry Combined Statistical Area which has 753,663 people from 2007 census estimates. Newberry is a town in Newberry County, South Carolina, 43 miles (69 km) west -northwest of Columbia. ... United States micropolitan areas, as defined by the Census Bureau and the Office of Management and Budget, are areas in the United States based around a core city or town with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. ... The United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. ...

Columbia's metropolitan counties include:

• Richland County
• Lexington County
• Fairfield County
• Calhoun County
• Kershaw County
• Saluda County

Columbia's largest suburbs and environs presently are: Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. ... Lexington County is a county located in the state of South Carolina. ... Fairfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. ... Calhoun County is a county located in the state of South Carolina. ... Kershaw County is a county located in the state of South Carolina. ... Saluda County is a county located in the state of South Carolina. ...

St. ... Seven Oaks is a census-designated place located in Lexington County, South Carolina. ... Lexington is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. ... Dentsville is a census-designated place located in Richland County, South Carolina. ... West Columbia is a city located in Lexington County, South Carolina. ... Cayce is a city located in Lexington County, South Carolina, along the Congaree River. ... Irmo is a small town or municipality located 12 miles outside of Columbia, South Carolina. ... Forest Acres is a city located in Richland County, South Carolina. ... Woodfield is a census-designated place located in Richland County, South Carolina. ... Red Bank is a census-designated place located in Lexington County, South Carolina. ... Oak Grove is a census-designated place located in Lexington County, South Carolina. ... Camden is a city in Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States. ... Lugoff is a census-designated place located in Kershaw County, South Carolina. ...

Military Bases

• Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson is the US Army's largest training base. Fort Jackson is a United States Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) base located in South Carolina. ...

• McEntire Joint National Guard Station

Under command of the South Carolina Air National Guard. McEntire Joint National Guard Station (JNGS) is affiliated with the South Carolina Air National Guard (SCANG). ...

Infrastructure

Municipal government and politics

The city of Columbia has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits, elections are held in the Spring of even numbered years. Unlike other mayors in council-manager systems, Columbia mayor has the power to veto ordinances passed by the council; vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of the council. The council-manager government is one of 2 main variations of representative municipal government (for contrast, also see Mayor-Council government). ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... A city council is the most common style of legislative government in a city or town. ... This article is about constitutional law; for the book by Vince Flynn see Term Limits (novel). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A local ordinance is a law usually found in a municipal code. ...

Columbia City Hall

The council appoints a city manager to serve as chief administrative officer. Charles P. Austin, Sr is the current city manager. The council-manager government is one of 2 main variations of representative municipal government (for contrast, also see Mayor-Council government). ...

The current mayor of Columbia is Bob Coble. Coble has served as mayor since his election in 1990 .Coble, was elected to his fifth term as mayor on April 4, 2006; and is the city's longest serving mayor. Columbia holds elections for mayor every four years, with the next election in 2010; there are no term limits. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... Bob Coble (born 1953) is the current mayor of Columbia, South Carolina. ... This article is about constitutional law; for the book by Vince Flynn see Term Limits (novel). ...

The city council consists of 6 members (4 from districts and 2 at-large). While the city council is responsible for making policies and enacting laws, rules and regulations in order to provide for future community and economic growth. Additionally, the council provides the necessary support for the orderly and efficient operation of city services.
At-Large Bloc voting (or block voting) refers to a class of voting systems which can be used to elect several representatives from a single multimember constituency. ...

• Tameika Isaac Devine
• Daniel J. Rickenmann

Districts

• 1: Sam Davis
• 2: E.W. Cromartie II
• 3: Anne M. Sinclair
• 4: Kirkman Finlay III

See related article Past mayors of Columbia, South Carolina Mayors of Columbia, South Carolina from 1806-present: Edward J. Arthur (1855-1857) James D. Tradewell (1857-1859) Allen J. Green (1859-1861) John H. Boatwright (1861-1863) Thomas J. Goodwyn (1863-1865) James C. Gibbes (May 1865-April 1866) Theodore Stark (April 1866-July 1868) Francis L. Guenther (July...

Education

Colleges and universities

Columbia is home to the main campus of the University of South Carolina, which was chartered in 1801 as South Carolina College and in 1906 as the University of South Carolina. The university has 350 degree programs and enrolls more than 27,500 students throughout 15 degree-granting colleges and schools. It is an urban university, located in downtown Columbia. The University of South Carolina (also referred to as USC, SC, or Carolina) is a public, co-educational, research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. ...

The Horseshoe at USC

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has designated the university a research institution of "very high research activity".^[8] The school also has a world-renowned international business program, ranking No. 1 in the nation for its undergraduate international business program and No. 2 for its graduate international business program in the 2006 U.S. News & World Report college and graduate school guides. University of South Carolina's University 101 program is also frequently cited by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top programs of its kind in the nation. The university is also home to the nation’s first National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1910 KB) Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1910 KB) Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Carnagie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1905 and chartered in 1906 by an Act of Congress. ... U.S. News & World Report is a weekly newsmagazine. ... The logo of the National Science Foundation The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. ...

As part of a new initiative geared towards making University of South Carolina a world-class research and technology school, the university is building Innovista, a unique new "innovation district" located between the campus' core and the banks of the Congaree River. Innovista is a standard-setting environment that draws its vibrancy from integrating public and private sector research and researchers with retail, restaurant, residential, and recreational facilities contained within a contemporary urban landscape.

Columbia is also home to:

• Allen University - Allen University was founded in 1870 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It has a distinguished history and is widely recognized for its development of African-Americans who have made significant achievements and contributions in varied areas of specialization, nationally and internationally.
• Benedict College - Founded in 1870, Benedict is an independent co-educational college. Benedict is one of the fastest growing of the 39 United Negro College Fund schools. In addition to an increase in enrollment, Benedict has also seen an increase in average SAT scores, Honors College enrollee rates, capital giving dollars, and the number of research grants awarded. Recently, Benedict has been subject to a series of recent controversies, including basing up to 60% of grades solely on effort,^[9] which have nearly resulted in its losing its accreditation. However, in recent months the college has improved its financial standing and is seeking to boost its enrollment.
• Columbia College - Founded in 1854, Columbia College is a private, four-year, liberal arts college for women with a coeducational Evening College and Graduate School. The College has been ranked since 1994 by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top ten regional liberal arts colleges in the South.
• Columbia International University - Columbia International University is a biblically-based, private Christian institution committed to "preparing men and women to know Christ and to make Him known". Founded in 1923, CIU is recognized as having one of the leading ministry training programs in the world^{[citation needed]}.
• Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary - This institution, founded in 1830, is a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. One of the oldest Lutheran seminaries in North America, Southern is a fully accredited graduate school of theology preparing women and men for the ordained and lay ministries of the church. The wooded 17 acre campus is situated atop Seminary Ridge in Columbia, highest point in the Midlands area, near the center of South Carolina's capital city.
• Midlands Technical College - Midlands Tech is part of the South Carolina Technical College System. It is a two-year, comprehensive, public, community college, offering a wide variety of programs in career education, four-year college-transfer options, and continuing education. Small classes, individualized instruction, and student support services are provided. Most of the college's teaching faculty holds master's or doctoral degrees.

Columbia is also the site of several extension campuses, including those for South University and University of Phoenix. Allen University was founded in 1870 as Payne Institute, dedicated to providing education to freed African-American slaves. ... The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the AME Church, is a Christian denomination founded by Bishop Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816. ... Benedict College is an historically African-American liberal arts college located in Columbia, South Carolina. ... United Negro College Fund logo The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a Fairfax, Virginia-based American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for African-American students and general scholarship funds for 39 historically black colleges and universities. ... Look up accreditation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Columbia College is a private liberal arts college for women in Columbia, South Carolina. ... U.S. News & World Report is a weekly newsmagazine. ... Columbia Bible College redirects here. ... Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS), located in Columbia, SC, is a theological seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offering first and second professional theological degrees. ... The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... South University is a small private university located in Savannah, Georgia. ... University of Phoenix (UOP) is a for-profit educational institution specializing in adult education, with campuses located throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. ...

Private schools

• Ben Lippen School
• Bethel Learning Centers
• Cardinal Newman High School
• Central Carolina Christian Academy
• Columbia Jewish Day School
• Covenant Christian School
• Glenforest School

Grace Christian School

• Harmony School
• Heathwood Hall
• Hammond School
• Islamic Academy of Columbia
• Palmetto Baptist Academy
• Sandhills School
• Saint John Neumann Catholic School
• Saint Joseph Catholic School
• Saint Martin de Porres Catholic School
• Saint Peter's Catholic School
• Timmerman School
• V.V. Reid Elementary

Heathwood Hall is a private school in Columbia, South Carolina. ...

Public schools

• Richland County School District One
• Richland County School District Two
• Lexington & Richland County School District Five

Richland County School District One (abbreviated RCSD One or Richland One), South Carolina’s fifth-largest school district, serves a diverse population of more than 25,000 students from urban, suburban and rural communities in the capital city of Columbia, South Carolina. ... Richland County School District Two (abbreviated RCSD Two) Richland County School District Two is a nationally recognized school district located in suburban Columbia, South Carolina, in the northeast section of Richland County. ... School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties (abbreviated Disctrict Five) The District Five encompasses a land area of approximately 196 square miles, approximately one-half of which is situated in each of Lexington and Richland Counties. ...

Health Systems

The Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine (CSA) Health System. The non-profit organization is licensed for 304 beds and comprises four entities: Providence Hospital, Providence Heart Institute, Providence Hospital Northeast and Providence Orthopaedic & NeuroSpine Institute. Providence Hospital, located in downtown Columbia, was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine in 1938. The facility offers cardiac care through Providence Heart Institute, which is considered a quality cardiac center in South Carolina. Providence Hospital Northeast is a 46-bed community hospital established in 1999 that offers a range of medical services in surgery, emergency care, women's and children's services and rehabilitation. Providence Northeast is home to Providence Orthopaedic & NeuroSpine Institute, which provides medical and surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the bones, joints, and spine.

Palmetto Health is a South Carolina nonprofit public benefit corporation consisting of Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Baptist hospitals in Columbia. Palmetto Health provides health care for nearly 70% of the residents of Richland County and almost 55% of the health care for both Richland and Lexington counties. Palmetto Health Baptist recently underwent a $40 million multi-phase modernization which included 37,000 square feet (3,400 m²) of new construction and 81,000 square feet (7,500 m²) of renovations. The extensive health system also operates Palmetto Health Children's Hospital and Palmetto Health Heart Hospital, the state's first freestanding hospital dedicated solely to heart care, which opened in January 2006. The Palmetto Health South Carolina Cancer Center offers patient services at the Palmetto Health Baptist and Palmetto Health Richland campuses; both are recognized by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as a Network Cancer Program. Palmetto Health Richland (formerly Richland Memorial Hospital) ia a 649 bed tertiary care center located just north of Downtown Columbia, South Carolina. ... Palmetto Health Richland (formerly Richland Memorial Hospital) ia a 649 bed tertiary care center located just north of Downtown Columbia, South Carolina. ...

The Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center is a 216-bed facility, encompassing acute medical, surgical, psychiatric, and long-term care. The hospital provides primary, secondary, and some tertiary care. An affiliation is held with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, located on the hospital grounds. A sharing agreement is in place with Moncrief Army Community Hospital at Fort Jackson and Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC. F-16CJ Fighting Falcon taking off from Shaw AFB as part of enforcing the northern no fly zone in Iraq. ... Sumter is a city located in Sumter County, South Carolina. ...

Transportation

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

The city and its surroundings are served by Columbia Metropolitan Airport (IATA:CAE; ICAO:KCAE). The airport itself is serviced by American Eagle, Continental, DayJet, Delta, Northwest, United, Spirit Airlines, and US Airways airlines and is the fourth busiest airport in South Carolina, following Charleston, Greenville/Spartanburg and Myrtle Beach. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Columbia Metropolitan Airport (IATA: CAE, ICAO: KCAE) is the main airport for Columbia, South Carolina, located in the suburb of West Columbia. ... Columbia Metropolitan Airport (IATA: CAE, ICAO: KCAE) is the main airport for Columbia, South Carolina, located in the suburb of West Columbia. ... The International Air Transport Association is an international trade organization of airlines headquarted in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ... The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ... American Eagle Airlines is a regional airline based in Fort Worth, Texas[1]. It is a airline partner of American Airlines[2] (both wholly owned by the AMR Corporation holding company), operating over 1,800 flights a day, serving 159 cities across the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean[3... Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) is a U.S. certificated air carrier. ... DayJet is a startup that intends to provide air taxi service in Florida using a fleet of Eclipse 500s. ... Delta Air Lines, Inc. ... Northwest Airlines, Inc. ... United Airlines is a major airline of the United States. ... Spirit Airlines is a United States low-cost airline operating nationwide scheduled and charter flights. ... US Airways is a low-cost carrier[2][3] owned by US Airways Group, Inc. ... Myrtle Beach is a city located in Horry County, South Carolina. ...

Columbia benefits from an excellent interstate highway system, with three interstates— I-26